The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has advocated stronger private-sector participation through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), to revive viable moribund state-owned enterprises.
Director-General of the Chamber, Mr Agabaidu Jideani, made the suggestion in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, recently.
Jideani said that collaboration between government and private investors was critical to restoring viable state-owned enterprises, while calling for comprehensive reforms and professional management to revive the sector.
According to him, stronger private-sector participation through PPPs will strongly support the reviving of the viable enterprises.
“The revival required treating the enterprises as economic assets that must be commercially viable, professionally managed and accountable for results,” he said.
The director-general also recommended comprehensive audits to determine the enterprises’ financial positions, assets, liabilities, infrastructure conditions, market potential and reasons for their decline.
He said that the government should classify enterprises based on their strategic importance, commercial viability and the need for restructuring or repurposing.
He suggested that viable enterprises should undergo recapitalisation, debt restructuring, technology upgrades and rehabilitation of critical infrastructure to restore their productive capacity.
He emphasised the need for strong corporate governance and professional management, with boards appointed based on competence, integrity and relevant industry experience.
Jideani, however, called for clear and measurable performance targets, adding that management should enjoy operational autonomy while remaining accountable for productivity and service delivery.
“Operating challenges, including unreliable power, inadequate infrastructure, regulatory bottlenecks and limited access to finance, must be addressed.
“The reviving of the enterprise should go beyond government funding to include corporate restructuring, technology, innovation, access to finance, competitive markets and accountability.
The ACCI D-G described PPPs as an important instrument for reviving viable enterprises where government lacked sufficient capital, technology or managerial expertise.
He noted that the PPPs arrangement should involve clearly defined responsibilities, risks, rewards and performance obligations for both government and private investors.
He said various PPPs models could be considered, including management contracts, leases, concessions, joint ventures and strategic equity partnerships.
He added that the appropriate model should depend on the nature, strategic importance and commercial potential of each enterprise.

The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has pledged to deepen collaboration with Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), to strengthen transparency, accountability and revenue mobilisation in extractive sector.
The RMAFC Chairman, Dr Mohammed Shehu, said this when NEITI Executive Secretary, Mr Musa Adar, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja recently.
Shehu said that the partnership would improve revenue monitoring, transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s extractive industries.
He described the longstanding partnership between RMAFC and NEITI as strategic and mutually beneficial to both institutions and the country.
He commended NEITI for providing credible information on operations and financial flows in the extractive industries, adding that its efforts had strengthened accountability.
According to him, NEITI’s work had also improved public understanding of Nigeria’s extractive sector and promoted openness in managing the country’s natural resources.
Shehu said NEITI had earned a strong reputation through efforts to uncover facts, reconcile information and promote transparency in the extractive industries.
He expressed hope that NEITI’s international partners would continue to support its capacity in information gathering, data verification, revenue transparency and accountability.
The RMAFC chairman assured NEITI of the commission’s continued support and openness to collaboration in data sharing, research, revenue monitoring and policy engagement.
He congratulated Adar on his appointment as NEITI executive secretary, describing it as well deserved and expressing confidence in his leadership.
“Your experience, competence and diligence will contribute to greater achievements in promoting transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s extractive sector,” he said.
In his remarks, Adar described the relationship between NEITI and RMAFC as a longstanding partnership built on transparency, accountability and improved revenue mobilisation.
The NEITI executive secretary said both institutions needed to strengthen the partnership to achieve greater impact in revenue monitoring, resource governance and accountability.
He highlighted RMAFC’s role in monitoring revenues accruing to the Federation Account and measures to improve revenue collection and accountability.
Adar said reliable information on revenues from oil, gas and mining activities was essential for fiscal management, public accountability and informed decision-making.
According to him, NEITI’s independent reconciliation of financial production, exports and company activities.

And physical flows provides useful data on revenues, payments, production, exports and company activities.
“NEITI’s reports can support RMAFC’s work in revenue monitoring, verification, policy analysis and developing measures to improve revenue mobilisation,” he said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR has received the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, at the State House, Abuja, to discuss issues bordering on the development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
During the meeting, Dr. Mobereola briefed the President on developments within NIMASA over the past two years, highlighting the progress recorded by the Agency as well as some of the challenges confronting the industry.
Following the briefing, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the continuous development of Nigeria’s maritime industry.
He noted that the creation of NIMASA was a deliberate step towards ensuring that the maritime sector contributes more significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
While commending NIMASA for the progress recorded so far, the Presidentd charged Dr. Mobereola and his team at NIMASA not to rest on their oars.