The UN Office for
Projects and Service (UNOPS), in Abuja has promised to partner with the Federal Government to support infrastructure development in the country.
The Assistant UN Secretary-General, Mr Vitaly Vanshelboim, made the pledge in an interview with newsmen on the sideline of the concluded 7th joint Annual Meeting of Economic Community of African Conference of African Ministers of Finance.
He said global infrastructure was one of the key mandate areas given to the organisation by the UN General Assembly.
He added that “last year, UNOPS built almost 4,000 kilometres of roads around the world, but presently, we are not doing enough in Africa.
“So, part of what we are doing here is having discussions to seek the involvement of governments on how to be relevant in the context of Africa.’’
According to him, Nigeria is at the forefront of the initiative because of the huge economic and political impact infrastructure has on the development of the nation.
He said UNOPS would like to establish the right type of network in Nigeria to guide its operations in Africa in the next few years.
He noted that the UN organisation had estimated that between now and 2030, the need for infrastructure might be up to six billion dollars, “which is a lot of money.
“However, UNOPS collaborates with the private sector in carrying out its functions.’’
Commenting on other benefits of the partnership, Vanshelboim said that apart from infrastructure development, the collaboration would help to transfer knowledge to governments.
He said “we transfer knowledge not only to governments but to the companies that we are working with, and sometimes we help to establish companies.
“The other part that is more important is to transfer knowledge and skills to national governments as end beneficiaries.’’
He gave the assurance that the partnership would accelerate the execution of best practices in many fields of governance in Nigeria and Africa in general.