PPPC calls for private partnerships in projects

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Public-Private Partnership Centre (PPPC) has urged government authorities, heads of government departments and leaders of local government institutions to identify projects capable of being implemented through private sector partners.

According to the PPPC, identifying and implementing projects with private sector involvement is a more effective approach than relying solely on government budgets, which are sometimes insufficient for largescale projects.

Speaking at the PPPC pavilion at the ongoing 49th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) the Centre’s Coordinator for Local Government Partnership Projects, Dakawa Msoleni, said that identifying such projects would enable many local councils to achieve substantial self-sustaining income.

To achieve this, Mr Msoleni said that local authorities need to allocate a small amount of funds for the preparation of various documents necessary to facilitate the proposed projects. This preparation will make it easier to advertise them to private partners or investors.

“Furthermore, institutions that own land but lack title deeds for their properties should strive to acquire them to facilitate easier advertisement for investment,” Mr Msoleni added.

He said that only a few local councils currently have the capacity to operate solely on their internal revenues.

However, by identifying projects and advertising them to investors, these councils can become self sustaining and significantly boost their income.

“Therefore, local councils should identify projects that will attract investors and ultimately increase their operational revenue instead of continuing to depend on the central government budget,” he said.

Mr Msoleni listed examples of projects that local councils can propose and promote to investors, including small-scale initiatives such as building health centres, private schools and colleges, markets, bus terminals, truck stops, recreational areas, sports arenas and similar ventures.

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According to him, the law sets criteria for investment, with small projects identified by local government authorities requiring up to 50bn/- and large projects starting from over 50bn/-.

Mr Msoleni also called upon the public to seize the opportunity presented by the ongoing trade fair to visit the PPPC pavilion, learn about various initiatives and explore how they can capitalise on opportunities available through the partnership centre.