Private Operators To Manage Lagos Airport, Three Others

The federal government has announced plans to concession four
major airports as part of efforts to develop and secure the aviation sector and
diversify the nation’s economy.

Addressing aviation industry players ‎in Abuja, the Minister
of State for Aviation, Captain Hadi Sirika, announced that the airports in Lagos,
Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt will be managed by private sector operators.

He also announced plans by the federal government to
establish aviation development bank and an aviation university to provide
funding and quality technical manpower for the industry.

It was the first aviation stakeholders’ forum since the
administration of President Muhammadu Buhari came on board.

The Minister reiterated the commitment of the federal
government to fast track the development of the sector through public private
partnership.

He used the occasion to announce the streamlining of the
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the creation of employment
opportunities for Nigerian pilots.

Although the presentation of the Minister received an
applause from the stakeholders, some of them expressed concerns about the
activities of some agencies under the ministry.

Others appealed to the federal government to urgently
address the challenges being faced in the industry.

The one day forum which attracted airline operators, pilots
and captains of the aviation industry is aimed at strengthening the sector
towards efficient service delivery.

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