As part of strategies to boost agriculture and create job opportunities for the teeming populace, the Rivers State Government has invited reputable and experienced players in the hospitality and agricultural sectors for Expression of Interest to run 13 government-owned farms and 8 Catering Rest Houses in the state.
A statement by the Executive Director of the Rivers State Bureau for Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Ibrahim Eddy Mark stressed that the projects are not for award of contract but Concession on a Public-Private Partnership basis.
The list of the government-owned farms for concession includes Songhai Farms, Atali Farm, Elimgbu Livestock Farm, School to land Farm, Kpaa, School to Land Farm, Nonwa and School to Land Farm, Agbeta.
Other farms are Rumuewhor Farm, Rumuodomaya Feed Mill, Rivers State Institute for Agricultural Research and Training, Onne, Buguma Fish Farm, Andoni Fish Farm, Opobo Fish Farm and Ubima Fish Farm.
The Executive Director also named the government-owned Catering Rest Houses as those in Ahoada, Elele, Okehi, Degema and Omoku.
Others are Catering Rest House, Isiokpo; Catering Rest House, Bori and Catering Rest House, Eleme.
The Rivers State Bureau for PPP boss explained that the Concession is “a type of public-private partnership venture where the private sector operator (Concessionaire) is responsible for the full delivery of services in a specified area, including construction, operation, maintenance, collection, management and rehabilitation of the system”.
He further stated that “A concession also gives a private concessionaire responsibility for financing and management of all required investments”, adding that the concessionaire bears the cost and risk for the condition of the assets and investment.
Part of the project scope also adds that the concessionaire will, in return, meet agreed environment, social, economic, financial, development, operational and service obligations to the people and government of Rivers State, adding that at the end of the concession period, the property reverts to the Rivers State Government.
For details, see pages 10 and 11 of National Network Newspaper, September 30 – October 6, 2020 or for more information, visit Rivers State Bureau for Public-Private Partnerships’ website: www.rsbppp.org.ng
