The federal government is seeking to concession four
airports for a period of 20-30 years.
The ministry of aviation announced this in a frequently
asked questions (FAQ) document released on Wednesday.
The airports are Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos; the
Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; Malam Aminu Kano Airport, Kano and
Port Harcourt International Airport, Rivers state.
A concession is a form of public-private partnership (PPP)
where a government-owned asset is being operated and maintained by a private
investor for a period of time on terms contained in a contract.
“Infrastructure concessions of this nature come with a
significant financial obligation which any responsible concessionaire will no
doubt be keen to recoup,” the document read.
“To this end we envisage a minimum of 20) to 30 years for
the programme, which may be extended depending on performance and Nigeria’s
best interests.
“That said, the duration is not set in stone and will be
subject to negotiation and then final approval by the federal executive
council.”
The aviation ministry explained that the planned concession
would not affect the repayment of the $500 million loan taken from the China
Exim Bank for the airports’ terminals.
“China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation
(CCECC) was contracted to deliver a number of infrastructure projects
throughout Nigeria in 2013. The Passenger Terminal development works are a
small part of this, and the federal government has every intention to service
its obligation,” it said.
It also said that the government was starting with the most
strategic assets because successful delivery of the concession agreement would
give stakeholders the confidence to consider other possibilities in the
aviation sector.
In 2016, the federal government had indicated interest in
concessioning the Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano airports to increase
their capacity and efficiency.
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, in 2017, had announced the
federal executive council’s approval of the concession of Lagos and Abuja
airports.
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