Federal Government ready to concession Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, Enugu airports to private investors

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has stated that five Nigerian airports are set for concession.

The Minister made this known while receiving the Regional Vice President of Africa and Middle East of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, reports The Nation.

Keyamo, in a statement by the Ministry’s Spokesman, Odutayo Oluseyi, said the five International airports for concession are Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Port Harcourt International Airport, Aminu Kano International Airport, and Akanu Ibiam International airport, Enugu.

The minister thanked IATA for indicating interest in offering the advisory role to Nigeria and for coming at a crucial time when the concession is about to take off.

Keyamo said the level of infrastructure decay within the aviation industry calls for urgent action.

He said going by the geographical location, Nigeria is the aviation hub for Africa and the world at large.

He called on investors to avail themselves of the opportunity in the aviation sector, stating that Nigeria’s aviation industry is ripe for both local and foreign investors.

He appealed to IATA to speak to other investors and notify them that President Tinubu’s led government is making huge sacrifices to reposition Nigeria’s aviation industry to a global standard.

He stated that with the coming back of Italian Airlines and United Arab Emirates, the Nigerian aviation sector is about to wear a new look, and the government is putting a lot in place to open the market for all operators.

The Regional Vice President of Africa and Middle East-International Air Transport Association, Kamil Awdhi, stated that the essence of the visit was to indicate that they are willing to offer the advisory role to Nigeria in the concession process.

Awdhi while stating that Nigeria is a big market that no investor can afford to look away, promised that IATA as an Advisor has no financial cost to Nigeria.

Explaining the role of IATA as a trade association representing the global air transport industry with the aim of promoting safety, security, and efficient air transport, foster collaboration among airlines, airports, provide professional development, training and facilitate industry standards and best practices, Kamil emphasised the need to organise a workshop to educate the stakeholders on the need for concession and to know that the concession plan is different from privatisation.

He affirmed that IATA is ready to support Nigeria develop her aviation sector.

He also said that IATA is at the verge of signing MoU with Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to audit all aircrafts flying in Nigeria.