NIDA set to pilot funding in the country’s infrastructure sector as it holds award nite

Kenneth Afor

The Nigerian Infrastructure Development Awards (NIBDA) will on Thursday, December 5, 2019 engage policy makers, corporate experts, venture capitalists, development agencies and others in the private sector to explore sustainable ways of infrastructure funding in Nigeria.

The organisers of the event, Prospers Strategies Limited, have carefully selected experts from the private sector, government as well as the financial institution to whet prospective investors appetite in pledging $100 billion capital to meet up with the infrastructure deficit in the country.

Ernest Ndukwe; former executive vice-chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Chidi Izuwa, director general of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and representatives from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), ministry of works and ministry of communication will be on ground to spur investors’ mind for the funding.

This year’s event of the NIDA and Award Nite with the theme: ‘Creative Options of Funding Infrastructure Development in Nigeria’ is a deliberate move by the organisers to bring to the fore the need for an urgent funding of the country’s infrastructure ecosystem.

With the country as the 30th largest economy in the world, critical sector like infrastructure must be adequately funded as it is being done in other climes.

Chidi Izuwa noted that “Today, there is a serious infrastructure deficit that requires urgent strategic approaches such as multiple funding to fill the gap. Nigeria as a leading emerging economy with huge potentials needs to implement strong policies that can draw investors to her infrastructure needs.”

The event will culminate into a segment for the recognition of icons in the public and private sectors who have distinguished themselves in contributing their quota in promoting and developing the country’s real sector.

The event will take place at Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja by 6:30pm.