By Goodluck Ikiebe
The Nigerian Government says that one of its broad objectives is the promotion of a strong and positive synergy between the public and private sector, as both sectors are critical components in the development phases of any society.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, disclosed this when he declared open a One-day Sensitization Workshop on the Impact of Public Private Partnership Engagement in the Nigerian Public Service held at the Federal Secretariat, Phase II, Abuja.
At the Workshop which was organised by the PPP Unit of his Ministry, Alhaji Abubakar said that the relationship between the public and private sector is expected to enhance funding intervention and synergy between both sectors in the realization of our National Development Plans in general and youth development agenda in particular so as to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Already, he said, the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, has assured that the Ministry would ensure it provides sustainable framework for the formulation and implementation of policies, programmes and other initiatives, adding that the move will help promote and enhance youth and sports development in collaboration with relevant stakeholders in order to enhance National Development, in line with the present administration’s objectives.
He explained that it is in line with this “that the Ministry decided to organize a One-day Workshop for the Middle Cadre Officers on the impact of PPP engagement in Nigerian Public Service”.
This is to further create awareness on the need for the involvement of all stakeholders including individuals, units, sectors, departments among others, so as to achieve greater success in the areas of PPP engagement in the Ministry.
The Permanent Secretary reiterated that the active involvement of all stakeholders in this context, means sharing a common understanding of the processes and channels that can improve and enhance youth and sports activities in the Ministry for the creation of a better society for all.
He stated further that the Ministry through the PPP is putting a sustainable framework in place to guide the implementation of policies and programmes in both youth and sports sector so as to drive national development in line with the policy thrust of the present administration.
The Permanent Secretary therefore called on participants to avail themselves of the opportunity given to them to participate in the workshop as well as leverage on the wealth of experience of the experts from the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) which is the only Federal body that has been established to regulate PPP activities in all MDAs.
Also speaking, the Representative of the ICRC, Dr. Amanze Okere, stated that the Commission will continue to ensure proper training of staff on the impact of PPP engagement in the Public Service according to its
mandate.
In her remarks, the Ministry’s Director, PPP Unit, Mrs. Helen Anyakwo thanked the Honourable Minister, Permanent Secretary and Top Management Staff of the Ministry for their commitment to ensuring a positive Public Private Partnership with the
Ministry so as to actialise the National Development Plans in Youth and Sports sectors as well as realization the Sustainable Development Goals.
She described the theme of the One-day Workshop which is, “PPP as a critical tool in enhancing youth engagement in the Nigerian Public Service and the society at large”, as apt.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
