Public-Private Partnerships Key to Solving Nigeria’s Power Infrastructure Crisis, Says ICRC Chief
Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) are crucial to addressing Nigeria’s persistent power sector challenges, according to DrJobson Ewalefoh, Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC). Speaking during the 30th anniversary event of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Ewalefoh emphasised that government revenue alone cannot fund the vast infrastructure improvements necessary to drive the country’s economic growth.
In a statement signed by Ifeanyi Nwoko, the acting Head of Media and Publicity, Ewalefoh advocated for greater private sector involvement to bridge infrastructure gaps. His remarks come at a time when the national grid continues to experience embarrassing collapses, the most recent occurring at 8:16 a.m. on Saturday—marking the third collapse in just one week.
Ewalefoh noted that despite numerous strategies to address the power sector’s issues, the sector remains plagued by inadequate infrastructure. “The only way we can bridge the infrastructure gaps that we are facing in this country is to harness private sector finance and expertise in building and managing infrastructure,” he said.
He pointed out that sectors beyond power, including transportation, healthcare, and housing, are all in need of significant infrastructure development. “It is no longer news that government revenue cannot take us to where we need to be. We’ve tried various options, but we now need to recalibrate our strategies,” Ewalefoh explained.
The Director-General called for a mindset shift among Nigerians, stating that the private sector must play a central role in both building new infrastructure and optimising existing assets. “We need to get funding and service delivery from the private sector, not just for new projects but also for maintaining and optimising existing infrastructure,” he said, adding that the ICRC has developed a range of options for private sector involvement.
Ewalefoh highlighted the lessons learned from over 100 concession projects the ICRC has been involved with, noting that the commission has streamlined its processes for greater efficiency. “We are now better positioned to handle any infrastructure project, ensuring value for money and the benefit of the Nigerian people,” he stated.
He also praised the current administration for its commitment to bridging the infrastructure gap, emphasising that the ICRC is working to ensure projects are delivered more swiftly and effectively. However, he warned against the involvement of “portfolio investors” in PPP projects—those who lack the capacity or funding to complete the projects for which they have presented impressive business cases. “Going forward, we must ensure that any consortium vying for a PPP project can demonstrate its ability to carry it out,” he said.
As Nigeria grapples with ongoing power crises and the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades, Ewalefoh’s call for greater private sector engagement may prove critical to the nation’s economic future.
