The Federal Government, through the National Planning Commission, is working with the World Economic Forum (WEF), with a view to addressing Nigeria's infrastructure challenge.
It was to this end, a pre-planning meeting for a proposed collaborative round table on "Infrastructure Development and Public-private Partnership in Nigeria, was organized between the Minister, National Planning and a delegation from the World Economic Forum (WEF).
The meeting was intended to further consolidate on the collaborative effort being put in place by the Federal Government towards improving the state of infrastructure in Nigeria.
While giving his remarks at the meeting, the National Planning Minister, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman described Infrastructure as a critical growth driver and an enabler for the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, which the present government is driving.
"Improved infrastructure in the country is an enabler for agriculture to thrive", he said.
While he was noting the need for infrastructure development in Nigeria and Africa at large, Dr. Usman said, it was necessary to know the kind of infrastructure development needed in the country in years to come.
He added that with the creation of the right policies and enabling environment, infrastructure development will thrive as evident with the telecommunication sector now.
Head of the delegation, Director/Head of Infrastructure and Urban Development, WEF, Dr. Pedro Rodrigues de Almeide said, they are in Nigeria not only to deepen engagement with a view to addressing Nigeria's infrastructure challenge, but to deliberate on modalities toward a successful World Economic Forum (WEF) scheduled to hold in Nigeria in 2014.
In his remarks at the meeting also, the Director of Infrastructure, National Planning Commission, Engr. Olugbenga Adegun stated that, the WEF team had indicated great interest in working with the National Planning Commission with a view to addressing Nigeria's infrastructure challenge.
He described the visit as demonstration of commitment which gives NPC the confidence that the stakeholders are solidly supporting the country as it is prepared to commence the implementation of the National Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP).
Those who attended the meeting include Permanent Secretaries and relevant Directors from the federal MDAs.
Federal Republic Of Nigeria | nigeria.gov.ng