Infrastructure PPP projects need the support of government, the public, and all major stakeholders to be successful. These parties have a big say on whether a PPP project goes ahead in the first place, and in defining a project and monitoring service quality. Their involvement can identify early in the process potentially problematic issues that can either get overlooked or be more difficult to fix later. Independent public oversight during implementation can build public trust in a project and promote public sector innovation.
Communicating national infrastructure plans with the public and end users needs improving in all three case study countries. Opposition to infrastructure PPPs is widespread because of high user fees, poor service, the involvement of foreign investors, and the potential for corruption. Civic groups in these countries are often critical that infrastructure PPPs can have adverse social and environmental impacts, particularly for minority groups.
Governments need to communicate effectively with the public and civil society on planned infrastructure PPPs. Each project needs a stakeholder engagement strategy that sets out how it will be explained to affected communities and civil society groups. None of the three countries, however, have such strategies. Consultations on planned projects should be held with civil groups to be able to understand early on possible objections to elements of a project. End users should be part of this process and be used to monitor service quality once a project is completed.