Experts in the built environment have asked the federal government to give room for private sector to actualise its infrastructure development plan.
They said Nigeria needs N115 Trillion to grow at six to seven per cent yearly exceeding its population growth of over 2.7 per cent.
According to Mr Emmanuel Obe, a real estate developer, government must provide the enabling environment for business to thrive.
“The issue of funding is a critical aspect of our national development. Without power, good roads and rail, our efforts to industrialisation and ease of doing business will not materialise.
“Government must play its role by doing the necessary community relations and enlightenment so that people can understand the benefits of PPP as a fast track for development, particularly, infrastructures like roads and rails.”
Also, a property consultant, Mr Sola Agbede, who decried the huge housing deficit in the country, noted that government alone can not tackle the housing and infrastructural challenges hence the need to involve private sector.
He said: “It is no longer hidden that Nigeria has a huge housing deficit that will take years to address. And if truth will be told, the federal government can’t resolve this problem alone.
“And if the government is ready to tackle this housing challenge, it must involve the private sector. To this end, it must give the operators of the sector a level playing ground.
“Also, all the bottlenecks in the housing sector should be removed in order for them to strive and in return, they will make impact on both housing and infrastructure sectors.
