By Kamilu Lawal, Katsina
The Katsina State Government has intensified efforts to strengthen institutional capacity for Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) through a one-day appreciation workshop for Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as part of its drive to accelerate infrastructure development and improve public service delivery.
The workshop, organised by the Katsina State Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA) in Katsina, the state capital, followed a similar capacity-building session earlier held for members of the State Executive Council, underscoring the government’s commitment to deepening understanding and effective implementation of its PPP framework across all levels of governance.
The initiative also aligns with ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to leverage Public-Private Partnerships as a strategic tool for financing critical infrastructure and promoting sustainable economic growth, with Katsina positioning itself to complement the national development agenda through investment-driven reforms at the sub-national level.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, the Deputy Governor of Katsina State and Chairman of the State Economic Council, Faruk Lawal, said the administration of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda remains committed to creating an enabling environment that encourages responsible private sector participation in the delivery of critical infrastructure and essential public services.
He said strengthening the knowledge of Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Agencies on the PPP framework would improve policy implementation, enhance institutional coordination and position the state to attract credible investors for sustainable development.
According to the Deputy Governor, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Agencies occupy strategic positions in translating government policies into projects and programmes that directly impact the lives of citizens, making their understanding of the PPP framework critical to the success of the state’s development agenda.
Lawal urged participants to take advantage of the workshop to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and apply the knowledge acquired in ensuring transparency, accountability and value for money in the execution of PPP projects.
Earlier, the Director General of the Katsina State Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA), Alhaji Ibrahim Tukur Jikamshi, said the workshop forms part of the agency’s strategic efforts to institutionalise the PPP framework and strengthen implementation across government institutions.
Jikamshi explained that while the earlier appreciation workshop focused on members of the State Executive Council to reinforce policy direction, the current session was specifically designed for Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Agencies, who are responsible for translating government policies into effective implementation.
According to him, the appreciation workshop serves as a strategic bridge between policy formulation and execution by promoting effective coordination, shared understanding and informed decision-making throughout the PPP project cycle.
He reaffirmed KIPA’s commitment to supporting the Radda administration’s vision of repositioning Katsina State as a competitive investment destination through transparent, sustainable and fiscally responsible public-private partnerships.
The workshop featured technical presentations and interactive sessions on the legal and institutional framework for PPPs, project preparation, risk allocation and global best practices aimed at strengthening the capacity of participants to effectively drive investment-led development initiatives across Katsina State.
