By LUCY OGALUE

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to ensure strict Public-Private Partnership (PPP) compliance in implementing the National Gas Infrastructure Command Centre (NGCC).

The ICRC Director-General, Dr Jobson Ewalefoh, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ewalefoh said this at the NGCC Project Steering Committee’s inaugural meeting in Abuja.

He said the NGCC must be fully financed by the private proponent, with zero public funding and no sovereign guarantees.

According to Ewalefoh, the directive underscores government’s commitment to fiscal discipline and private-sector-led infrastructure delivery.

“Technology alone does not guarantee viability. Automation does not make a project bankable.

“Every proposal must pass a structured PPP framework testing feasibility, risk allocation, affordability and sustainability before implementation.

“Public interest, value for money, financial prudence and strict regulatory compliance will guide every stage of this process.,” he said.

He emphasised that public interest, value for money and regulatory compliance would guide the entire process.

Ewalefoh noted that the project’s strategic importance does not override disciplined preparation and regulatory safeguards.

The NGCC is designed to coordinate Nigeria’s gas infrastructure and enhance emergency response and transparency.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Sen. Ekperikpe Ekpo, inaugurated the Project Steering Committee and Joint Technical Working Group.

Members include representatives of the Petroleum Ministry, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), ICRC and the project promoter.

The Joint Technical Working Group will handle technical and preparatory processes in line with PPP regulatory requirements. (NAN)