The Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Jobson Ewalefoh, has emphasized that public-private partnerships (PPPs) must prioritize the public interest, delivering tangible value to ordinary Nigerians. This approach is particularly crucial in healthcare, where the ICRC is involved in projects like MEDIPOOL, aimed at bulk procurement and distribution of medicines. Ewalefoh stresses that a healthcare PPP must not compromise affordability for essential products.
Ewalefoh highlights the regulatory process as a critical component in ensuring that PPPs serve the public interest. When an Outline Business Case reaches the Commission, it undergoes several tests, including viability, bankability, value for money, procurement transparency, and public interest. The goal is to determine whether a project can make economic sense while meeting the needs for which it was conceived. This approach allows for the coexistence of commercial viability and public benefit.
The MEDIPOOL project exemplifies this approach, using bulk procurement to reduce medicine costs and improve distribution, particularly in rural areas. Ewalefoh envisions a broader impact, as the project develops, it is expected to support local manufacturing of some medicines currently imported. This could create jobs, strengthen the local economy, and reduce costs in the long term. The ultimate measure of success is whether Nigerians can access needed medicines at affordable prices.
Ewalefoh applies the same philosophy to tolling under the Highway Development and Management Initiative. He argues that road tolls should be viewed in the context of what Nigerians receive in return for their payments. The Akwanga–Makurdi road, a 227-kilometre corridor with four toll gates, is cited as a successful PPP arrangement. An average saloon car pays a toll, but in return, users benefit from improved infrastructure.
The ICRC's approach to PPPs prioritizes the needs of Nigerians, ensuring that projects are priced fairly and affordably. Ewalefoh emphasizes that a properly structured PPP can balance commercial viability and public benefit. This approach has guided the Commission's involvement in various projects, including healthcare and infrastructure initiatives.
By focusing on public interest, the ICRC aims to create sustainable and equitable PPPs. Ewalefoh's leadership has been instrumental in shaping the Commission's approach to PPPs, emphasizing the need for tangible benefits to Nigerians. As the country continues to explore PPPs for development, the ICRC's philosophy serves as a guiding framework.
The success of PPPs in Nigeria depends on striking a balance between commercial viability and public benefit. Ewalefoh's approach has provided a framework for achieving this balance, ensuring that PPPs serve the needs of Nigerians. As the country moves forward, the ICRC's emphasis on public interest will remain crucial in shaping the future of PPPs.
Key points
- ICRC prioritizes public interest in PPPs to ensure affordable healthcare and infrastructure for Nigerians.
- MEDIPOOL project aims to reduce medicine costs and improve distribution through bulk procurement.
- ICRC's approach balances commercial viability and public benefit in PPPs.
