BY NAOMI UZOR

The Senate President, Dr. David Mark, has said that he is unequivocally opposed to aid because of the unfavourable strings invariably attached to it.

Speaking at the National Assembly and private sector Partnership forum organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and industry (LCCI), he said government alone cannot provide all the needs of the people and that is there is need to look else where for development funding but that he is opposed to aid because of the unfavourable strings invariably attached to it, adding that there is no free launch anywhere.

”On the other hand, if we go the route of Public Private Partnership (PPP), it requires the support, collaboration and cooperation of private sector. I believe that PPP will will deliver more sustainable development solutions than most of the current development aid interventions we have in the country. This is principally because more attention will be given to sustainability and return on investments than the regular aid interventionists” he said.

According to him, if the PPP is properly managed, many unemployed youths will be off the streets, children will have access to quality education; fewer rural dwellers will struggle to come to urban areas in search of white collar jobs and that it will introduce or increase mechanized agriculture in rural areas.

He said another option for Nigerians, is to attract Foreign Direct Investments into the country, but must not seek just any kind of foreign investment.

”We want investment with a difference; an investment that is humane, people-oriented, sustainable, symbiotic and not parasitic. We need investments that are not only focused on profit-making but also seek to promote economic and social development in host communities and the country at large. Of no less significance is the fact that each of us in the National Assembly is elected by the people from different communities and on different political platforms, representing different political views and perspectives.