Thelma Osatohanmwen
In a significant diplomatic move, the Government of Austria has conveyed its interest in collaborating with the Federal Government of Nigeria to enhance the nation’s transportation infrastructure.
The announcement came to light during a courtesy visit by the Austrian Ambassador to Nigeria, Thomas Schlesinger, to Michael Ohiani, the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
The Austrian envoy, accompanied by Gerd Grobminger, Vice President of Global Sales Operations at Kapsch TrafficCom, an Austrian company with a noteworthy track record in handling transportation projects globally, expressed their commitment to contributing to Nigeria’s infrastructure development.
Ohiani, welcoming the delegation, emphasized the pivotal role of the ICRC in regulating Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives in Nigeria. He provided an update on the status of various PPP projects in the transportation sector, highlighting key endeavors such as the Highway Development and Management Initiative project and the Central Clearing House project.
Assuring the Austrian team of the commission’s dedication to effective regulation, Ohiani underscored the importance of ensuring the success of PPP projects in Nigeria. The collaborative efforts between the two nations hold the potential to bring about transformative changes in Nigeria’s transportation landscape, benefiting both countries through shared expertise and resources.