Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has declared open a high-level capacity-building workshop on the Public–Private Partnership (PPP) framework for members of the State Executive Council, as part of efforts to deepen infrastructure development, improve service delivery and promote sustainable economic growth.
The one-day workshop, organised by the Katsina State Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA), focused on strengthening policy-level understanding and leadership oversight of PPPs as a strategic governance and financing tool.
Speaking at the opening, Governor Radda said PPPs have become a critical instrument for governments seeking to close infrastructure gaps while maintaining fiscal discipline and ensuring value for money. He urged members of the Executive Council to fully internalise the principles, processes and governance requirements of PPP arrangements in order to deliver concrete benefits to the people of Katsina State.
The governor said the workshop builds on deliberate reforms already undertaken by the state to institutionalise PPPs. These, he noted, include the amendment of the KIPA Law to empower the agency to coordinate and manage PPP projects, the development of a State PPP Policy and Operational Manual, and the establishment of fiscal commitment, contingent liability and disclosure frameworks to safeguard public finances.
He also highlighted the creation of a dedicated PPP Portal to enhance transparency and investor engagement, as well as provisions in the current state budget for PPP project preparation and facilitation, describing them as clear signals of the government’s commitment to moving from policy to implementation.
Director-General of KIPA, Alhaji Ibrahim Jikamshi
In his welcome address, the Director-General of KIPA, Alhaji Ibrahim Jikamshi, said the workshop forms part of a structured capacity-building programme on PPPs in the state. He recalled that KIPA had earlier organised appreciation and intermediary-level workshops for officers of key Ministries, Departments and Agencies to build foundational knowledge of PPP concepts and processes.
Jikamshi added that members of the State Executive Council-led PPP Project Facilitation Committee would also participate in a follow-up workshop focused on the governance and management structure of the Project Facilitation Fund, to strengthen coordination, oversight and leadership in managing resources for PPP project development.
The workshop recorded strong participation from members of the State Executive Council, including commissioners, special advisers and other senior government officials.
