Government of Austria has announced a partnership with federal government of Nigeria to develop transportation infrastructure and other public-private partnership (PPP) projects.
Gatekeepers News reports that the partnership was announced in a statement on Wednesday, signed by acting head of media and publicity at the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Manji Yarling.
The ICRC said the contract was reached when Austrian ambassador to Nigeria, Thomas Schlesinger visited director-general of the ICRC, Michael Ohiani and the management team.
Yarling said the envoy was accompanied by the vice-president of Global Sales Operations, Gerd Grobminger; and an Austrian company, Kapsch TrafficCom interested in PPP projects in the transportation sector.
She also said the company has extensive experience in successfully handling various transport-related projects in countries like South Africa, Germany, and Italy.
In the statement, Ohiani, while receiving the Austrian delegation, emphasised the ICRC’s role as the statutory body overseeing all PPP endeavours undertaken by the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He further provided an update on the status of ongoing PPP projects within the transportation sector.
Ohiani highlighted the highway development and management initiative (HDMI) project, with its first phase encompassing nine road corridors, which has finalised agreements with its preferred bidders and is awaiting financial closure.
In addition, he said the central clearing house (CCH) project is currently in the process of selecting a preferred bidder from a shortlisted group.
The ICRC, while reiterating its dedication to effective regulation, Ohiani assured the Austrian delegation of the commission’s unwavering commitment to fostering successful PPP projects in Nigeria.
