(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Shamsudeen-Usman-300x224.jpg) Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, the Minister of National Planning has said that, the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP), which development is being coordinated by the National Planning Commission, will enhance productivity and value addition in the manufacturing sector. "One of the many promising aspect of the NIIMP to Manufacturing sector is, improved availability, reliability and effectiveness of critical infrastructural needs, such as power, fuel, transport, etc for enhanced productivity and value addition in the sector"; he stated.
Dr. Usman, spoke in Lagos, Thursday, July 4th, 2013, as a guest speaker during the 41st Annual General Meeting of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), which was held at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.
The theme for the MAN's 41st AGM lecture is "Federal Government's integrated infrastructure road map" and Dr. Usman's presentation at the lecture was titled "Nigeria's National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan."
In his presentation, the National Planning Minister also mentioned as other promises of NIIMP to Manufacturing sector, to include industrial clustering to optimise infrastructure, promotion of specialization and inducement of economic per capita income in the sector through investment and improvement in infrastructure.
Listing out the expected role of the private sector for the NIIMP, Dr. Usman further mentioned that "private sector is expected to contribute to the development of the NIIMP in the areas of mobilization of inputs for the NIIMP development process through the Business Support Group (BSG), as professionals and sector experts; mobilization of financial resources for implementation of projects and programmes, building, operating and maintaining infrastructure assets, enforcement of standards and quality control, in addition to investment in research and development."
He also revealed that, infrastructure stock in Nigeria is inadequate for development and therefore, constitutes a constraint to socio-economic development in the country. The Minister further pointed out its significance as a key driver of economic growth and development and an enabler of competitiveness worldwide.
On the objectives of NIIMP, Dr. Usman said, "the objectives of the NIIMP is to adopt a coordinated approach to infrastructure development, strengthen linkages between infrastructure sectors and national economy and harmonise and integrate various infrastructure plans."
"Other objectives of NIIMP include: prioritization of projects and programme, promotion of private sector participation, strengthening the policy, legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks and enhanced performance and efficiency of the economy", he added.
"Enhanced economic growth, employment generation and wealth creation, enabling environment for investment, efficient allocation of resources and positive externalities, prioritisation of projects and programmes", were some of the benefits of the NIIMP identified by the National Planning Minister.
Dr. Usman explained the readiness and commitment of the present government through the National Planning Commission to address the identified challenges in infrastructure in the country, and assured that, the final NIIMP document will be delivered on August, 14th, 2013.
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