Austrian, Nigerian govts to collaborate on transport infrastructure – ICRC

The Austrian government has explored a collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria on transport infrastructure and other Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

This is according to a statement released on Wednesday in Abuja by Manji Yarling, Acting Head, Media and Publicity, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

Yarling stated that the cooperation was sought after the Austrian Ambassador to Nigeria, Thomas Schlesinger, paid a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Michael Ohiani, and the ICRC Management team.

She said the ambassador was accompanied by Gerd Grobminger, VP, Global Sales Operations, Kapsch TrafficCom, an Austrian company interested in PPP projects in the transport industry.

Yarling stated that the organization had vast experience handling numerous transportation-related projects in nations such as South Africa, Germany, and Italy.

While welcoming the team, Ohiani stated that the commission was statutorily responsible for regulating all PPP endeavors of Nigeria.

The director-general informed the team of the status of several PPP projects in the transport industry.

Ohiani stated that the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) Project had signed agreements with its chosen bidders and was awaiting financial closing for its first phase, which included nine road segments.