The Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika has led a team comprising officials of the ministry, agencies under the ministry and organised labour on an inspection tour of two successfully concessioned airports in Istanbul (Turkey) and Brasilia (Brazil).
A statement by the minister’s special assistant on public affairs, Mr. James Odaudu, said the tour is part of efforts to ensure transparency and inclusiveness, demonstrate sincerity in the airport concession programme and choose the right model.
Sirika disclosed that the essence of the visit to the two airports was to dispel all doubts and suspicion regarding the sincerity of the Federal Government in respect of the concession programme and to reassure the labour force of the inherent benefits of the programme.
He explained that the choice of both airports was based on their popularity, size and their success stories in concession which he said will serve as a guide on the concession model and contribute to the successful delivery of the programme.
Sirika restated the government’s commitment to ensure that the principles of transparency and accountability which have been the hallmark of the process from the inception will remain till the final delivery of the project.
At both airports, the ream was presented with visual stories of their transition and the positive impacts of their concessions, according to Sirika.
The team that visited both airports with Sirika included the rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology Zaria, Capt. Alkali Modibbo; Acting managing director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Matthew Lawrence Pwajok; Transaction adviser on airport concession, Dr. Abba Ibrahim and the director-general of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) Michael Ohiani.
Others are the senior technical assistant to the minister Yusuf Anas, special assistant to the minister on administration Ahmed Sanusi, secretary-general of the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP) Saidu Abdulrazak, secretary-general of NUATE Ocheme Abah and Adenike Adesola (CSS).
