By Franklin Alli & Princewill Ekwujuru

The Federal Government is developing a National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP) spanning 29 years from 2014 to 2043.

Engr. Ilesanmi Olugbenga Adegun, the Director of Infrastructure National Planning Commission disclosed this in a keynote speech delivered at  the World Infrastructures Summit, organised by the Initiative for Infrastructure and Modern City Development, IIMCD, Infrastructure Journal and Ceezali Ltd, in Amsterdam.

He said that considering Nigeria’s lean resources, the federal government is adopting initiatives towards collaborating with stakeholders to surmount the challenge facing Nigeria’s infrastructure deficits.

“To this effect, the current administration is at the verge of developing a National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP) spanning 2014 – 2043.

“In view of the multi-sectoral nature of this assignment, the National Planning Commission has been charged with the responsibility to coordinate it.

“The NIIMP process which commenced in August 2012, with the development of a project Framework, is currently at various levels of consultations with relevant stakeholders. It is expected that the delivery of the Plan in April 2013 will usher in the physical development of the country, while at the same time addressing the challenges of  slow economic growth, security, urbanisation, poverty, housing, health care, and education to mention a few.

There is therefore, the yawning desire to bridge the infrastructure deficit in the identified sectors through private sector participation since the government cannot do it alone given the huge capital investment required,” said Adegun

Vice President Namadi Sambo, in a statement said Nigeria has the potentials to attract foreign direct investments into the country, given the country’s current economic climate.

Represented by the Nigerian Ambassador to the Royal Kingdom of Netherlands, Dr. Ninota Akanbi, Sambo said that the transformation agenda of federal government is anchored on the vision 20:20:20 which represents government’s commitment to join the league of the world’s top 20 economies by the year 20:20.

The Vice President also highlighted the achievements of the federal governments in the last eighteen months especially in the power sector and the vigorous reforms it’s currently undergoing, adding that the federal government seeks to put an end to the years of epileptic power supply in the country. The Vice President also said the federal government is committed to partnering with foreign investors in a way that would be of mutual benefits to both investors and the government.