By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

In line with its plan to boost public sector contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) the federal government is pursuing an integrated approach to public sector investment in infrastructure development through the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC). FG established ICRC as an effective framework for Public Private Partnership (PPP) in Nigeria. The ICRC was subsequently inaugurated in 2008.

About 400 projects are now in the pipeline. The projects range from power sector developments to water and road infrastructure.

The entire projects under the power sector are maily electricity projects of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). Some of the key projects in this area includes the refurbishment/ replacement of transmission assets measuring about 12,000 km of 330kv/ 132kv and 132kv/ 33kv primary/ secondary substations. The projects which are located nationwide would be executed a Build Transfer (BT) PPP model.

Another BT model being executed by TCN is the completion of 60 ongoing 33okv and 132kv transmission lines and 330kv/ 132kv and 132kv/ 33kv substation projects across the country.

A combination of PPP model is being employed in some of its new electricity projects for 10GW Grid System Capacity consisting of 61 new 330kv & 132kv lines and 330kv/ 132kv & 132kv/ 33kv primary/ secondary substations together with multiple reactive compensation projects. The projects are located in Kebbi, Zamfara, Lagos, Plateau, Gombe, Yobe, Anambra, Niger and Kaduna states. The model being employed is a combination of BT, Build Own Transfer (BOT), Build Own Operate (BOOT) and Build Own Operate (BOO).

Another set of projects being executed under a similar PPP model in the sector are the new projects for 13 GW Grid System Capacity consisting of 40 new 330kv & 132kv primary/ secondary substations together with multiple reactive compensation projects located in Benue, Lagos Niger and Kaduna states.

In the water and agric sectors about nine projects are being executed across the country. They are the concession of the multi-purpose components of the Gurara1 Dam in Kaduna state, Bakalori Irrigation Project in Zamfara, Jibiya Irrigation Project, Middle Rima Valley Irrigation Project, Dasin Hausa Dam in Adamawa state, Elele Prison Farm in Rivers state, Tede Dam, Peremabiri Irrigation and Land Reclamation Project and Owena Multi-purpose Dam/ Water supply project.

In the road construction sector about 13 projects are underway across the country. They include the reconstruction, rehabilitation and expansion of Lagos-Ibadan Dual Carriageway as well as construction of a bridge over River Niger at Nupeko, Niger state.