Twelve national and international investors have shown interest to participate in the bidding process for the construction of a $3.5 million standard diagnostic centre through a PPP contract in Ekiti State, Nigeria.

The International Finance Corporation (World Bank group) is serving as government's transaction advisor and this enables the investors have confidence in the process.

A few of the investors bidding for the project are from the United Kingdom and South Africa among others.

The project would be put in place on build, operate, maintain, finance and transfer agreement and after certain number of years, the government would take full ownership of the project which will help the free health programme of state administration.

The Principal Operation Officer in charge of the PPP transaction Advisory services of IFC, Mr Bayo Oyewole had earlier stated that the calibre of investors which have come to the state shows that the Ekiti state is indeed a destination of choice for investment.

He assured that the bidding process will be carried out transparently.