Official warns of PPP pitfalls, calls for training

BULAWAYO Provincial Affairs and Devolution Permanent Secretary, Mr Paul Nyoni, has stressed the importance of capacitating officials with skills in evaluating public private partnerships (PPPs) to ensure that the Government does not face unfavourable outcomes from agreements signed with private players for various projects, such as infrastructure development.

During his presentation at the recently held Ministry of Skills Audit and Development provincial consultations in Bulawayo, Mr Nyoni highlighted the necessity for technical skills development. Additionally, he stressed the importance of good managerial skills for the proper identification of tenders under PPPs.

Mr Nyoni told the Minister that sometimes they don’t have confidence in some of the tenders and deals they sign with the private players as they lack capacity to identify problems and other technicalities on the deals under PPPs.

“We need a lot of technical skills, we also need managerial skills. As a province we have our fair share of propositions in the PPP space, yet there are always worries whether or not the agreed periods are correct. “If we get it wrong at that stage, the cost of our infrastructure will be so high it will raise genuine questions on sustainability,” said Mr Nyoni.

Government has entered into a number of PPPs in the development of key infrastructure, with the latest being the rehabilitation of the Old Gwanda Road. Skills in evaluating PPP projects are crucial as they can mitigate financial losses caused by contractors who deliver sub- standard work, leading to the government having to redo tasks that have already been paid for.

Mr Nyoni said the Bulawayo Metropolitan Provincial Economic Development Plan for 2021-25 prioritises infrastructure in all its facets: water, sewerage, roads, housing, Information and communication technologies and electricity.

Secondly, he said the plan also prioritises increased access to health and education services both in terms of increased facilities for a growing populace, as well as higher quality services. The third priority area is around employment opportunities for increasing numbers entering the job market every year.

“In order to address the massive infrastructure requirements in the province, skills in the various aspects of the built environment are required in increasing numbers,” he said.

The consultation workshop was graced by Minister of Skills Audit and Development, Professor Paul Mavima and the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Rudo Chitiga.

President Mnangagwa created the Ministry of Skills Audit and Development last year to address the 2018 National Critical Skills Audit findings.
The audit revealed a significant shortage of skills in the economy, despite a large number of educated and unemployed individuals, particularly youth. The shortage underscores the importance of aligning training programs with critical skills needed in different sectors of the economy.

It also highlights the need to update and modernise existing skills to meet present and future demands, in line with the country’s industrialisation agenda. —-chrnicle