Sirika reveals that the FG will offer concessions on 17 airports.

Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation, has announced the government’s proposal to bring at least 17 airports under the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s control for concession.

The minister stated that essential procedures are being made to make the concession’s entry conditions for aviation investors more easier.

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New Reports that Sirika stated that several airports in the county are in desperate need of funding and investment, and that they will welcome private sector investment to assist them meet their goals.

This online information learned that the minister made the observation yesterday at the ongoing National Aviation Conference in Abuja.

Sirika believe other airports would follow the trend after the current concession of Nigeria’s major international airports. He noted that the concession process for Nigeria’s four international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano is currently ongoing.

News Reports understands that FAAN currently manages 21 airports on behalf of the Federal Government.

Making known of investment opportunities in the aviation sector, Sirika said, “For investments in the airports, airport concessions, starting with the five international airports are also excellent opportunities for investments. Other airports too gradually will be out on concession.

“There are a lot of state airports, a lot of private airports, I believe that needs resources and investments and I’m sure the owners/operators of these airports will welcome investments from the private sector to enable them to achieve their strategic goals for implementing these projects.”

Represented by the Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Musa Nuhu, Sirika stressed that the Nigeria aviation industry offers several opportunities for investments and that as a regulator, FAAN is working at the regulations to unbundle them and make it easier for people to invest in all areas.

He added: “This is especially in general aviation which has significant sectors and we are going to be unbundling our regulations to make the entry requirements much easier so that people are encouraged to invest.”

In his address at the conference, the Director, Commercial and Business Development, FAAN, Sadiku Rafindadi, stated that the Nigerian aviation market was huge, yet untapped.

He, however, noted that the plan of FAAN was to fully tap Nigeria’s potential and harness the available opportunities within the 21 airports managed by the authority.