Ashiru, Anga, Make Case for Better Implementation of PPP Laws

Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbola Ashiru, has called for better implementation of laws on Public Private Partnership (PPP) by State Governments.

Ashiru said a better implementation of the laws on PPP, would encourage more citizens' participation.

He made this call last Thursday, at an event organised by AELEX, a firm of Legal Practitioners and Arbitrators, in conjunction with the International Project Finance Association (IPFA).

he theme of the event was ' Private Investment in Infrastructure: The States as Enablers'.

The Commissioner noted that, the revenues being generated by many States across the country, are not enough to meet the infrastructural needs of the populace, and as such, well-meaning private individuals are needed to fill the gap.

He lauded the Ogun State Government’s efforts, at providing infrastructure for its citizens, saying many roads belonging to the Federal Government have been fixed.

"About N160 billion which has been spent on infrastructure on Federal roads, is yet to be remitted back to Ogun State Government", he said.

Also speaking at the event, a partner at AELEX, Lawrence Fubara Anga, urged Government to address the issues militating against the PPP.

Anga listed the factors to include, arbitrariness, lack of due process, and State sponsored impunity.

"Recently, we woke up to the news that Government is to close all land borders, because of rice smuggling. With this, we are giving an impression to the outside world, that our borders can be shut at anytime. This is not a step, in the right direction.

"So, it is not always about the law, for the PPP process to work, those negative factors must be addressed", he said.