The lengthy bureaucratic process for land allocation by state governments is the major challenge to the construction of truck holding bays, otherwise known as truck transit parks, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council has said.

According to the council, bureaucracies in states hinder public private partnership, which is one of the best ways to deliver truck parks across the country.

The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, NSC, Hassan Bello, who disclosed this astated that the lack of adequate truck parks was contributory to the endemic traffic gridlock in Apapa, Lagos.

He said, “The endemic traffic gridlock in Apapa, which has locked down Lagos for some weeks now, should be a challenge not only to maritime agencies, but to us all. The Nigerian Shippers’ Council truck transit parks project, or more precisely, truck holding bays, with electronic call up system is one of a combination of solutions that can address the situation.

“These can be delivered by way of PPP without putting a strain on government finances. Regrettably, PPPs are fraught with several challenges, notably bureaucratic and lengthy process for land allocation by state governments.”

Hassan, whose speech was read by the Deputy Director, Abuja Liaison Office, NSC, Ekpeyon Eke, added, “We shall, however, not rest on our laurels. We are continuously engaging with all relevant stakeholders to fast-track the projects and we have no doubt that these projects will be delivered in the not too distant future.”

He observed that Nigeria’s infrastructure needs were critical and “there is no gainsaying that PPP is the way to go in delivering projects for the benefit of the people.”

The Acting Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Chidi Izuwah, stated that through the forum, different agencies of government had been able to know the various activities that were going on in the organisations as a result of PPP.

“You will agree with me that this forum has made it possible for us to continue to know what is happening across Federal Government MDAs on their PPP projects by reason of their submissions in the afternoon business sessions,” Izuwah stated.

He said the ICRC recently issued compliance certificates for Public-Private Participant projects to the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Izuwah said, “In keeping with our regulatory mandate, we have issued 10 Outline Business Case and four Full Business Case compliance certificates to date.

“These compliance certificates include the one for farm mechanisation pilot PPP project with John Deere, which was flagged of by the Minister of Agriculture; and that of the national carrier project, Nigeria Air, which was recently unveiled at the Farnborough Air Show, among others.”