In keeping with the nation’s Aviation Sector Roadmap, key commercial airports in the country are to be developed along with surrounding communities into efficient, profitable commercial hubs through Public Private Partnership. This is with a view to creating jobs and developing local industries.
These formed part of the submissions of the Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission ICRC, Engr. Chidi Izuwah when he presented Outline Business Case (OBC) Certificates with respect to four International airports to the Hon.
Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, Tuesday. These are Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos (MMIA), Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja (NAIA), Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano (MAKIA) and Port Harcourt International Airport (PHIA).\
According to the DG, the idea is for the aviation sector to contribute at least 5% to Nigeria’s GDP. In his words, “Countries like Turkey derive significant revenues from its aviation sector annually. Nigeria should be able to do the same. I want to assure Nigerians that there will be no job losses arising from PPPs in the aviation sector”.
Responding, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika restated that the current administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari is pro-people and as such aviation assets will remain owned by Nigerians.
According to him, “Airline passenger numbers have increased from 8 million to 18 million in the last 5 years”. Quoting the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics NBS, he disclosed that the aviation sector is the fastest growing sector in the Nigerian economy at the moment. So far, a total of 7 OBC Certificates have been received by the Minister, including those for the Maintainance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and the Aviation Leasing Company.
