Mohammed Etsu Champions Inter-Agency Collaboration, Visits NNDP
By: Our Correspondent.
The Coordinator of Niger State Public Private Partnerships Agency Mohammed Saidu Etsu, says his agency is working to foster inter-agency relationships to facilitate private sector projects and investments in the state.
To this end, and as part of the NSPPPA Coordinator’s ongoing efforts to collaborate with key stakeholders in the state to drive development, he paid a courtesy visit on the Chairman of the NNDP Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha Bida, to deepen relations on the New Niger Development Project.
Mohammed Etsu, who took office recently, emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with key stakeholders in the PPP ecosystem. He highlighted the agency’s commitment to thorough due diligence on all incoming projects, ensuring transparency and accountability.
He stated the agency’s commitment to evaluation of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) for all incoming projects.
“We are determined to ensure that every project coming into the state adheres to the highest standards in the best interest of the state,” he stated. “Our focus is to conduct integrity tests on ongoing PPP projects and to revive moribund ones.”
The NNDP Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha Bida expressed gratitude, affirming the New Niger Development Project’s willingness to collaborate with the PPP Agency, particularly on PPP-oriented construction projects.
Bida provided insights into the rapid progress on the Imam Abubakar Kagara International Airport, strategically located in Niger State. He underscored its significance as an apron for private jets and other noncommercial aircraft, featuring the largest cargo terminal in Nigeria, to facilitate the transportation of goods from the state’s Agricultural and Solid Mineral market.
As an acknowledgement to the opportunities arising from the state’s proximity to the FCT, the NNDP chairman mentioned the Niger State Government’s swift intervention in taking over the construction of the domestic terminal from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to expedite the completion of the project.
The NNDP boss also mentioned the inauguration of the Bida ring road project, with compensation processes underway for affected houses. The state government’s intervention aims to expand the city, acquiring over 11,000 plots of land for the envisioned Bida Smart City project.
The meeting also focused on the state government’s priorities, emphasizing service delivery as both agencies work together to realize the New Niger agenda of the Farmer Governor Umar Mohammed Bago development stride.
