FORMER Senate President Ken Nnamani has identified lack of public infrastructure as source of the country's socio-political crises.
Speaking in Abuja at the inauguration of Governing Council of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), which he chairs, Nnamani said: "Factors behind insecurity in several parts of the country are complex and multifaceted". Experts, he said agreed that "one of the proven sources of social discontent is a sense of alienation that comes from lack of access to essential public services."
Nnamani warned that government's failure to fulfill its obligations to the people portends grave danger for the polity, 'because the inability of the citizenry to have access to the vital infrastructural and utility services that make life worth living is a potential source of social discontent and societal instability."
Pledging that the Board would live up to expectation, Nnamani said considering the overburdened public sector budget "government resources are not even sufficient for the maintenance of existing infrastructure to say nothing of providing new ones."
He added: "Any policy mechanism that will facilitate the delivery of public services to all corners of our great nation will contribute in no small measure in giving our people a sense of belonging"
Inaugurating the council, President Goodluck Jonathan, represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, said: "As a nation, we must in every respect, manifest our capability for the practical transformation of our country, through mutually beneficial partnerships. Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAS) must now show a greater commitment to creative productive and fruitful partnerships with the private sector."
He urged the board to build on the achievements of the pioneer board, headed by former head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.
The president implored the Nnamani team to hasten the delivery of Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects, particularly the 19 recently identified by the Commission, which included the construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge, the development of deep sea ports and concession of railway lines. He stressed the need to "achieve seamless financial closure as soon as possible", adding "That is what the people expect and this is what the government must deliver."
The President added: "The ICRC has a leading role to play in driving the PPP programme. "We have no doubt that members of the Governing Board will pursue this mandate with commitment and patriotism to achieve prompt success."
