UTILISATION OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS PROCUREMENT MODEL FOR INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Usman Muhammad Danjuma, Alamu Bosede Florence and Kolawole Asimiyu Folaranmi

Department of Quantity Surveying,

The Federal Polytechnic, P.M.B. 55, Bida, Niger State.

Email: danjumausman12@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The utilization of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) procurement model for infrastructural development in Nigeria is being gradually embraced as a number of construction projects are being arranged through this model. This model is being applied more in countries like UK and China among others where drivers for the utilization of the system have been studied. Efforts at investigating critical factors for utilization of this procurement model have not received proper and adequate attention in Nigeria. Therefore, the objectives of the study were to identify the necessary factors for the utilisation of PPP procurement model in Nigeria and to assess the level of utilisation of PPP procurement model in Nigeria. Abuja was used as the study area because of its features as one of the metropolitan cities and Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria where building and engineering construction activities are at its peak, coupled with its soaring population which makes the provision of public infrastructure paramount for the benefits of its growing population. Factors evaluated in the study were those perceived to be critical to the peculiarity of the Nigerian construction industry. Respondents were built environment professionals in government ministries, departments, agencies and parastatals, public and private institutions, financiers of PPP arrangements, contractors and stakeholders involved in PPP projects. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics. It was concluded from the findings that, the necessary factors considered for the utilization of PPP procurement model in Nigeria are accelerated projects development, facilitated creative and innovative approaches as well as technology transfer to local enterprises. Furthermore, the level of ultilisation of PPP procurement model has 57.1% of the respondents not involved in PPP procurement model. This may not be unconnected to the fact that the PPP procurement model is yet to be fully embraced for all infrastructure development purposes in Nigeria. It was therefore recommended that, the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and other relevant stakeholders should carry out sensitization campaign on the knowledge of the benefits of the model among professionals because PPP provides solutions such as finances, expertise and technological know-how to solving the problems encountered by the public sector in providing infrastructure.