By Mu’awuya Bala Idris, Katsina
The Katsina State Government has directed Permanent Secretaries and heads of parastatals to provide the leadership, coordination and necessary information required for the successful implementation of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects across the state.
The Deputy Governor, Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe, gave the directive while declaring open a one-day PPP sensitisation workshop organised by the Katsina State Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA) for Permanent Secretaries and heads of government agencies.
Jobe said every ministry, department and agency must identify its infrastructure and service delivery needs instead of waiting for investors to determine the state’s priorities.
“We must understand what our people require, what outcomes we want to achieve and which projects are suitable for private sector participation,” he said.
The Deputy Governor explained that not every government project should be executed through the PPP model, stressing that each proposal must undergo proper assessment before a suitable procurement method is selected.
He also urged public institutions to create an enabling environment for investors by ensuring transparency, consistency and timely decision-making.
“Investors expect clarity, timely decisions and consistency. They should not face conflicting instructions from different institutions or unnecessary delays in obtaining information and approvals,” he said.
Jobe further warned that no ministry or agency should enter into commitments involving public assets, guarantees, exclusive rights or long-term financial obligations outside the approved PPP framework.
As Chairman of the Katsina State Ease of Doing Business Council, he charged Permanent Secretaries to identify credible and bankable projects, assign competent officers to manage them and provide the administrative leadership needed to drive the projects to completion.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Katsina State Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA), Ibrahim Tukur Jimkamshi, said the workshop was organised to sensitise participants on the objectives of Public-Private Partnerships and their roles in ensuring their successful implementation.
According to him, government alone cannot meet all the development needs of the people, noting that collaboration with the private sector remains a viable strategy for delivering critical infrastructure and improving public services efficiently.
