Lusaka, Saturday (August 17, 2024)
US-based Zambian constitutional-making expert, Prof Muna Ndulo, says Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are an excellent method for financing infrastructure projects.
He emphasizes that PPPs do not contribute to the national debt stock, making them a sustainable option for development.
Prof Ndulo, however, emphasized that the best way to choose investors in a PPP project is through competitive bidding.
He said the bidding process must be transparent to avoid corruption, which can arise from single-sourcing selection.
Prof Ndulo warns that even when single-sourcing is restricted to emergencies, officials can create emergencies.
He reiterates that competitive bidding is the most effective way to select investors for PPP projects.
The remarks were made at Southern African Institute for Policy and Research (SAIPAR ) Muna Ndulo Campus in Lusaka during a discussion on the Policy Brief on Advancing Zambia’s Public-Private Partnership Framework, emphasizing the role of public participation, officially opened by SAIPAR Executive Director Prof Manenga Ndulo.
At the same function, Dr Tinenenji Banda, a Research Fellow and Associate Director at the Southern African Institute for Policy and Research (SAIPAR), highlighted the importance of public participation in advancing Zambia’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework.
Dr Banda said Zambia faces significant infrastructure deficits, a high debt burden, and a shrinking fiscal space.
She said the challenges necessitate innovative solutions like PPPs to address infrastructure needs.
The Expert, however, observed that there is considerable public scepticism towards PPPs in Zambia, often due to misconceptions that equate PPPs with privatization and concerns about corruption.
Dr Banda emphasized that successful PPPs in other jurisdictions often have strong public participation frameworks.
She said public involvement is a critical factor in the success or failure of PPP projects.
Dr Banda said while Zambia’s PPP framework includes provisions for public participation, they have not been effectively operationalized.
She called for enhancing public engagement to improve the success rate of PPP projects in the country.
Dr Banda called for greater transparency and public involvement to build trust and ensure the effective implementation of PPPs in Zambia.
