Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has reaffirmed his commitment to involving the private sector more in the development of national infrastructure.
In a recent major policy address as the flagbearer on February 7th, Dr. Bawumia stated that he plans to engage the private sector to finance capital projects, aiming to reduce government expenditure as part of his administration’s efforts to adhere to fiscal discipline.
During a meeting with the Conference of Heads of Assisted Senior High Schools, Dr. Bawumia announced that his government would fund school infrastructure through a public-private partnership arrangement with the private sector to ensure efficient delivery.
“My administration will incentivise the private sector to complement government in the provision of many infrastructure and other services to reduce government expenditure and improve maintenance,” he said.
During his major policy address, Dr. Bawumia announced a wide range of infrastructure projects, in addition to schools, that he plans to finance through private sector engagement.
“The private sector will be encouraged to build roads, schools, hostels, and houses for government to rent or lease to own. The demand for road construction is massive, and this has historically placed a huge burden on the budget. I believe that the private sector should finance the construction and maintenance of roads through PPP concession arrangements.”
Dr. Bawumia’s vision is to utilize the private sector and an improved credit system to expand educational infrastructure, support teaching and non-teaching staff, and enhance the quality of education and educational outcomes.
Under this proposed funding arrangement, the private sector will be incentivized to construct infrastructure such as dormitories and classrooms, which the government will lease for a specified period before taking ownership. Additionally, the government will lease buses for schools. This approach aims to avoid significant initial government expenditures through the GETFUND and reduce delays in completing infrastructure projects in senior high schools.
This policy is expected to decrease the educational infrastructure deficit, improve maintenance, enhance education quality, and streamline government expenditure management.
Dr. Bawumia has been engaging with key stakeholders, including the Conference of Heads of Assisted Senior High Schools (CHASS), to explain his policies and seek their input.