By Chidi Ugwu
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK) has stated that five Nigeria Airports are set for concession. The Minister made this known while receiving the Regional Vice President Africa and Middle east of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Odutayo Oluseyi, Head,Press and Public Affairs, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.
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According to the statement, the Minister said the five International Airport for concession included Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Murtala Muhammed International airport, Lagos, Port Harcourt International airport, Aminu Kano International Airport, and Akanu Ibiam International airport, Enugu and thanked the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for indicating interest to offer advisory role to Nigeria and for coming in at a crucial time the concessioning is about to take off.
The Minister 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 for investors avail themselves of the opportunity, stating that Nigeria aviation industry is ripped for both local and foreign investors. He appealed to IATA to speak to other Investors that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led government is paying huge sacrifice to reposition Nigeria aviation industry to a global standard.
He stated that with the coming back of Italian Airline and United Arab Emirate, the Nigeria 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.
Kamil Awdhi, Regional Vice President Africa and Middle East-International Air Transport Association stated that the essence of the visit was to make their interest known that they are willing to offer advisory role to Nigeria in the concession process.
He said Nigeria is a big market that no investor can afford to look away and 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 asserted that IATA is ready to support Nigeria develop her aviation sector, because Nigeria is on the eyes of the world as far as aviation industry is concerned.
He said IATA is at the verge of signing MoU with NCAA to audit all aircrafts flying in Nigeria.
