PPPU

THE PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP UNIT (PPPU)

The PPP Unit was formally established by an Act of Parliament (Public Private Partnership Act, 2014, No. 11, 2014) as an agency in the Office of the President. Its mandate is to promote, facilitate and streamline the inception, negotiations, and implementation of all public private partnership agreements between public authorities and private partners. It is also challenged with the responsibility of ensuring that all PPP arrangements are in compliance with the Act, this includes the development of selective PPP procedures and matters incidental thereto.

The Government has identified public private partnerships as part of its funding sources to fill the financial gap in meeting its infrastructural deficit. To this end, in 2011 the Government set up a PPP Unit in the Office of the President to lead the PPP process and thus facilitate the establishment of a fully functional PPP Unit.

It is important to note that except for the President’s ‘Priority Projects’, the PPP Unit will always collaborate with relevant public authorities in every PPP arrangement. The Unit will provide technical and legal support to the process. This includes project identification, execution of feasibility studies to help determine a project’s viability and also manage the PPP procurement process for the selection of a private partner to implement and deliver on a project as agreed. The Unit is considered an integral partner in the infrastructural development of Sierra Leone both now and in the future.

FUNCTIONS

• To initiate, mostly in collaboration with the relevant MDA or local council, the PPP process by undertaking project identification and assessment studies, develop concept notes and conduct feasibility studies, and thereafter manage the procurement process for the selection of a private partner and the implementation and monitoring of the project.

• To ensure efficient delivery of any PPP agreement entered into by the Government.
• To ensure compliance with the provisions of the PPP Act 2014.
• To perform such other duties as may be directed by the President, from time to time, and as are necessary or expedient to ensure the effective performance of the functions of the Unit as specified in the PPP Act.