PPPC trains stakeholders to fast-track development Projects

TANGA: THE government has stepped up efforts to accelerate the implementation of key development projects by strengthening Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), a model, which is seen as crucial in mobilising private sector investment and expertise.

Recently, the Public-Private Partnership Centre (PPPC) held specialised training for entrepreneurs, investors and government officials in Tanga Region to highlight the roles and opportunities within public-private partnerships (PPPs).

The training, which took place over the weekend, involved various development stakeholders and focused on increasing awareness of how PPPs can be utilised as a vital tool to accelerate the implementation of the country’s strategic projects.

The participants were over 70. Speaking during the event, the PPPC Head of the Project Analysis and Evaluation Unit, Dr Suleiman Kiula, emphasised that one of the Centre’s core responsibilities is to manage, coordinate and develop public-private partnership projects in Tanzania.

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Dr Kiula said that uses of the PPP system is crucial in achieving the nation’s development plans, especially when the government faces financial or operational challenges in handling large-scale projects alone.

Furthermore, Dr Kiula elaborated on the legal and institutional framework governing the implementation of PPP programmes in the country.

“There are times when the government may initiate projects, but encounter challenges in managing them effectively. Recognising this, the government has developed a partnership policy that allows the private sector to play a full role in executing development projects,” he said.

He said the Centre already rolled out similar training programmes across all regions in the country. Earlier, PPPC Director of Projects, Mr Agustino Saibul, confirmed that significant progress has already been made toward achieving the target.

“We are targeting 20 projects to reach financial close by the end of this financial year,” Mr Saibul told the Daily News.

He pointed out that the projects are strategically distributed across all regions, having been carefully selected from municipal councils nationwide.

“This inclusive approach guarantees balanced and equitable development throughout Tanzania,” he explained.

Among the key infrastructure projects are Commercial infrastructure development for Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) and Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) under Tanzania Airport Authority (TAA), the Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (DART) Phase One, involving the acquisition, operation and maintenance of buses.

The Assistant Coordinator of the Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) project from Mzumbe University, Dr Lihoya Chamwali, commended the PPP Centre for its efforts in managing and coordinating development projects across the country.

Dr Chamwali stressed that collaboration between the government, educational institutions and the private sector is essential to ensure that development projects are implemented effectively and deliver the expected benefits to the community.

He noted that the university is currently constructing a new building under the HEET project, which is expected to be completed in March this year.