PPPC targets Mwanza, Arusha for strategic PPP projects

DAR ES SALAAM: A team from the Public Private Partnership Centre (PPPC) has embarked on a mission to scan cities and regions to identify strategic projects suitable for execution under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

The Centre’s Executive Director, David Kafulila, revealed during a PPP workshop with councilors from Ilemela Municipal Council in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday that the exercise has already been conducted in Dar es Salaam.

In his opening remarks, Mr Kafulila stated that a team of PPPC experts will be dispatched to Mwanza City and its municipalities to undertake similar tasks, with plans to expand to other areas, including Arusha City and parts of Shinyanga.

“After Dar es Salaam, Mwanza will be next because you’ve shown interest in implementing projects under the PPP initiative,” he said.

Speaking about the exercise, he added that after scanning Dar es Salaam and its municipalities, the PPPC identified several projects. Authorities are now discussing the modalities for their execution.

He urged Ilemela Council to appoint a focal person to be trained by the PPPC to facilitate the implementation of PPP projects, highlighting the area’s strategic location and status as a business hub.

However, Mr. Kafulila clarified to the councilors that projects implemented under the PPP arrangement differ significantly from privatized ones, assuring them they should not hesitate to endorse such projects as they remain under government control.

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According to him, PPP is a crucial approach for implementing strategic projects as it attracts capital from the private sector, introduces modern technologies, and enhances efficiency in the public sector.

Mr. Kafulila also noted that the revised Public Private Partnership Act, enacted in 2010, allows the public sector to partner with private entities to implement various projects.

Explaining further, he outlined that PPP projects could be implemented through solicited or unsolicited arrangements.

Under a solicited arrangement, the government formulates a project and publicly announces it for qualified bidders.

In contrast, under an unsolicited arrangement, stakeholders propose a project after conducting their own feasibility studies.

Ilemela Member of Parliament, Ms. Angelina Mabula stated that the council has numerous opportunities to attract major and small projects valued at over USD 20 million and below USD 20 million, respectively, based on PPPC scales.
“Ilemela is surrounded by the lake [Victoria]. There are prime areas that are idle. We can build hotels, recreational areas, and improve sports facilities under PPP initiatives,” the MP said.

On his part, Ilemela Municipal Council Mayor, Mr. Renatus Murunga, expressed readiness to collaborate with the PPPC in exploring and initiating projects under the PPP arrangement.
“I urge my fellow councilors and experts from Ilemela Council to seize this opportunity to understand PPP concepts. When we return to Ilemela, we will know what to do in our localities,” the mayor said.

Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) chairperson in Ilemela District, Mr. Yusuf Bujiku, emphasized that PPP is well articulated in the CCM election manifesto, urging councilors to ensure its effective implementation.