Aviation
THE Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), says actualisation of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in the aviation sector will help it contribute at least five percent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
ICRC Director-General, Mr. Chidi Izuwah, said this while presenting Outline Business Case (OBC) Certificates with respect to four international airports to the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika.
In a statement issued by ICRC in Abuja, Izuwah said airports in Nigeria had huge potential but were currently operating at a sub-optimal level due to factors that needed to be improved under the PPP programme.
“Countries like Turkey derives 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,” he said.
He said that in keeping with the nation’s aviation sector roadmap, key commercial airports in the country were to be developed along with surrounding communities into efficient, profitable commercial hubs through PPPs.
This, he said was with a view to creating jobs and developing local industries.
The four international airports are Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos (MMIA), Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (NAIA), Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano (MAKIA) and Port Harcourt International Airport (PHIA).
He added that the commission issued the ministry an OBC compliance certificate for the four international airports based on the commission’s review and findings.
“The OBC report for the concession of the Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano airport terminals under PPP arrangement was transmitted to the commission on June 1, for certification.
“In line with ICRC PPP pre-contract regulatory role, the commission has reviewed the OBCs.
“We have deduced that OBC substantially satisfies the requirement of ICRC (Establishment Etc.) Act, 2005 and National Policy on Public-Private Partnership (N4P),” he said.
Responding, Sirika said the move would help Nigeria to improve air transport value chain growth by developing and profitably managing customer-centric airport facilities.
He said it would be for sale, security, and efficient carriage of passengers and goods at world-class standards.
He added that aviation assets would remain owned by Nigerians.
According to him, airline passenger numbers increased from eight million to 18 million in the last five years.
Sirika, while quoting the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said that the aviation sector was the fastest growing sector in the Nigerian economy at the moment.
The minister added that Abuja and Port Harcourt airports had new terminal buildings commissioned and operational, adding that Lagos and Kano had terminal constructions that were due to be commissioned in 2020.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that ICRC was established to regulate PPP activities in Nigeria and to address physical infrastructure deficit which hampers economic development. (NAN)
– Jun. 25, 2020 @ 10:35 GMT |
Tags: Actualisation of PPPs in aviation sector will contribute 5% to nation’s GDP – ICRC
