In another attempt to convince union leaders in opposition to the proposed concession of the four major airports in the country that the plan is the best, the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika led a delegation comprising union leaders to two successfully concessioned airports in Turkey and Brazil.
Also on the entourage of the Minister are the Transaction Adviser on Airport Concession, Dr Abba Ibrahim and the Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Michael Ohiani.
The purpose, the Minister says, is to ensure transparency, inclusiveness, demonstrate sincerity in the Airport concession programme and choose the right model.
Other reasons given by the Minister as contained in a statement signed by James Odaudu Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Affairs is 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 further said that the choice of the two 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 reiterated Government’s commitment to ensuring that the principles of transparency and accountability which have been the hallmark of the process from inception will remain till the final delivery of the project.
According to the statement, at the two airports, the team was presented with visual stories of their transition and positive impact of their concessions.
The team that visited the Istanbul Airport in Turkey and the Brasilia Airport in Brazil with the Minister included the Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology Zaria, Captain Alkali Modibbo, the Acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Matthew Lawrence Pwajok.
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).
