•Festus-Keyamo
Five airports are set for concession, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has said.
Keyamo spoke when he received the Regional Vice President (Africa and Middle East) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Kamil Awdhi, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, reports The Nation.
A statement by the ministry’s spokesman, Odutayo Oluseyi, identified the five airports as Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos; Port Harcourt International Airport; Aminu Kano International Airport; and Akanu Ibiam International airport, Enugu.
The minister thanked IATA for offering an advisory role to Nigeria and for coming at a crucial time when the concession is about to take off.
According to him, Nigeria is the aviation hub for Africa, and the world at large, but the level of infrastructure decay within the aviation industry calls for urgent action.
He called on investors to avail themselves of the opportunity in the sector, saying that Nigeria’s aviation industry is ripe for both local and foreign investors.
Keyamo also appealed to IATA to speak to other investors and notify them that the Tinubu Administration was making huge sacrifices to reposition Nigeria’s aviation industry to a global standard.
Awdhi said the visit was to indicate IATA’s willingness to offer an advisory role to Nigeria, at no cost, in the concession process.
He described Nigeria as a big market which no investor can ignore.
He affirmed that IATA was ready to help Nigeria develop its aviation sector, hinting that IATA is on the verge of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to audit all aircraft flying in Nigeria.
Maiduguri Airport upgraded to international status
Also yesterday, Keyamo said the Muhammadu Buhari Airport, Maiduguri, Borno State, has been upgraded to an international status.
He spoke when Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum visited him.
The minister said the airport will begin full operation as an international airport on January 1, 2025.
A statement by the Head of Press and Public Affairs of the ministry, Odutayo Oluseyi, reads: “The establishment of an international airport in Maiduguri is strategic to receive international flights from the Middle East.
“It has the capacity, size, population and infrastructure to function as an international airport.”
Zulum expressed satisfaction with the airport’s new status and hailed President Tinubu and Keyamo for the uncommon transformation in the aviation sector.
He assured the minister that Northeast governors would provide the political will needed to ensure the airport’s smooth operation.
“Services in the sector have improved and everyone can attest to that.
“In terms of safety, the sector has experienced development and growth.
“I have seen the government’s effort in making for a better aviation industry,” Zulum said.
He urged the federal government to hasten the process to ensure Nigeria has a carrier.
