The director-general of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Halilu Shaba has applauded the role of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) in ensuring the effective execution of strategic projects for the socio-economic development of the country.
Shaba made this statement when he led the management team of NASRDA on a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the commission in Abuja.
The NASRDA boss who commended the role of the ICRC in supporting the agency’s activities further stated that NASRDA, going by the principles of its establishment, is a special purpose vehicle meant to provide strategic support to both the public and private sectors in achieving their respective aims and objectives.
He said the Nigerian space programme as a huge project that requires special funding that can only be guaranteed through public-private partnership (PPP); hence, the need to explore collaborative avenues for the actualisation of this intention.
Shaba described space science and technology as the hope of the country’s transition into a digital economy which, according to him, depends largely on the development of critical infrastructure.
He further stated the need for sustained synergy with ICRC, seeing as both organisations share common visions and concerns.
In his remark, the acting director-general of the ICRC, Mr. Michael Ohiani, further pledged the commission’s support for the activities of NASRDA, especially in the execution of critical projects in the interest of nation-building.
According to him, the commission has identified the potential for the Nigeria space technology sector which NASRDA is expected to play a very key role in its actualisation for the benefit of Nigerians.
He further stated that the ICRC had projected a 30-year investment plan in the area of energy, transportation, ICT and other critical sectors of the economy.
Ohiani said the public-private partnership is the best way out of the challenge posed by the infrastructural inadequacy, as it represents a balance between state ownership and privatisation.
He further disclosed that the PPP is a contractual agreement between a public agency and a private entity, to create structures in which greater value of money is achieved for services.
A statement by Daniel Abdullahi also promised that the commission will provide the regulatory oversight to ensure that NASRDA’s projects are properly executed and strategically implemented.
