The federal government has called on relevant stakeholders
to invest in airports across the country.
Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation, made the call in a
goodwill message at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) national
aviation conference in Abuja on Tuesday.
The event was themed, ‘Advancing the frontiers of
possibilities for safe, secure, and profitable air transport’.
“Our four airports, for now, are being approved and
designated as free zones. I want all of you to come and invest. Particularly,
in Abuja, we have 12, 000 hectares of land or if my maths is correct, 24, 000
acres of land, all available as free zones in this federal capital territory,”
he said.
“The ease of doing business ranking has risen and it is
possible for you to own 100 percent of a company in Nigeria as a foreigner.
“So, whether you are a foreigner or a Nigerian, we want to
assure you that the aviation sector is a place where you can put your money and
you will not lose.”
According to him, such investments would strengthen the aim
of public-private partnership (PPP) in the aviation sector.
“This conference will also feature a trade and investment
section, where opportunities for investments at our various airports will be
highlighted,” Sirika said.
“Investors will have first-hand information on how to
partner with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
“It will be in mutually beneficial business arrangements to
develop the Nigerian aviation industry.
“It is our intention to come up with a working document that
would be transmitted to relevant authorities for immediate action.”
Sirika expressed optimism that resolutions that would be
reached at the conference would bring lasting and sustainable solutions to the
challenges confronting the aviation industry.
He emphasised that the federal government was always willing
to discuss partnerships with investors for accelerated growth.
“I, therefore, implore well-meaning Nigerians and foreign
investors alike to come on board and take advantage of these business
opportunities, with limitless potential for huge returns of investments,” he
said.
“This maiden edition would be institutionalised as a
platform where great ideas that will propel the Nigerian aviation sector into a
global reference point will be developed.
“We appreciate your
deep commitment and patriotism to the Nigeria project. Our advantage position
in terms of regional positioning, population, and natural resources has
positioned us strategically as a continental leader.”
In his address, Rabiu
Yadudu, FAAN managing director, said it was paramount for the country to
intensify efforts to revamp and move the industry forward.
“I am looking forward
to a time when we domesticate activities, instead of sending our human
resources and flying machines for training and check abroad, thereby, expending
huge foreign exchange in the process,” Yadudu said.
“We will also earn foreign exchange from it when other
countries send their machines here for checks and their manpower for training
in Nigeria.”
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