Daily Independent (Lagos)
David Agba
14 October 2008
Abuja — The National Council on Privatization (NCP) at its 55th meeting approved the constitution of three sector steering committees to assist in the reform and restructuring of those sectors.
The steering committees are: River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) Steering Committee, National Parks Steering Committee and the Steering Committee on Development Finance Institutions (DFIs).
The Minister of Water Resources Sayyadi Ruma is Chairman of the Steering Committee on RBDAs, while Minister of Environment Halima Tayo Alao is the Chairman of the National Parks Steering Committee.
The Minister of Finance and Vice Chairman of NCP Shamsuddeen Usman is the Chairman of the Steering Committee on DFIs.
This was contained in a statement from the secretariat of the NCP, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), signed by Chigbo Anichebe, the Head, Public Communications at the weekend in Abuja .
According to the statement, Council charged the Steering Committee on DFIs with the following responsibilities, among others:
Advise Council on steps to be taken, while undertaking the reform of the financial institutions, to improve the efficiency, quality and availability of funding in all sectors of the economy.
To determine sources of funding for the Development Finance Institutions and recommend interest rates to be charged on monies borrowed to final consumer.
To propose and set the minimum capitalization required for the Development Finance Institutions.
To prioritize sectors that requires immediate funding and determines incentives to be enjoyed by lender bank.
Review Development Finance Institutions in other countries, especially countries that share common economic characteristic with Nigeria .
Formulate sector reform proposals to create conditions for the sustainable development of the Development Finance Institutions.
Advise Council on policies and programs to promote competition, efficiency, and transparency in the restructuring and privatization within the Development Finance Institutions sector.
Formulate proposals for reducing government expenditure, and attracting increased private financing and investment in the Development Finance Institutions; and
Carry out other functions related to the reform, restructuring and privatization of Development Finance Institutions, as may be directed by Council from time to time.
The National Parks Steering Committee, on the other hand is charged with the following terms of reference:
Review and update all existing policies on forestry, wildlife and ecotourism;
Articulate fresh policies on the conservation and protection of national parks and the development of eco-tourism in the parks, and consolidate with the updated policies referred to above to produce a comprehensive policy on "Conservation, Protection and the development of Ecotourism in Nigeria 's National Parks".
And review and update the legal and regulatory framework governing the National Parks Service and the national parks;
Review and agree on the role of the National Park Service and other stakeholders within the framework of commercialization and the proposed subsequent introduction of public private partnerships where viable, in the national parks.
Co-ordinate the interface between the National Park Service, the Park Operators, and other stakeholders in the unfolding partial commercialization of the national parks, and Ensure the successful implementation of the partial commercialization of the national parks;
RBDAs Steering Committee is further charged with; finalize the National Water Resources bill and ensure its passage by the National Assembly, Review and update policies on National Water Resources management, National irrigation and drainage policy and strategy and Private sector participation in irrigation development and management, Review and update the legal and regulatory framework governing the RBDAs, Review and agree on the role of the RBDAs and other stakeholders in the water sector within the framework of commercialization of the RBDAs.
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