Unveils Transaction Advisers
By Gift Samuel, The Sight News
Abuja-The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika has expressed the commitment of the Federal Government to attracting increased trade and inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Nigerian’s aviation sector.
Sirika said this on Thursday at the 4th Aviation Stakeholders Forum in Abuja, which also saw the unveiling of Transaction Advisers (TAs) recently appointed for some key projects in the Aviation Sector Roadmap approved for implementation through Public Private partnership.
The Transaction Advisers are expected to see to the establishment of National Carrier; Concession of four (4) International Airports; Establishment of a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Centre; Establishment of an Aviation Leasing Company; Development of Cargo/Agro Allied Terminals and development of Aerotropolis (Airport Cities).
The Minister noted that full implementation of its roadmap would lead to improved service standards, contribute to ongoing diversification and enhance the sector’s contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
While stating that the Federal government is committed to developing an industry with improved infrastructure and quality service delivery, he added that part of government’s vision is establishing a business model that will make the industry self-sustaining through Public Private Partnership (PPP).
According to him; “The government remains committed to making air transportation the preferred and safest means of transportation, creating a self-sustaining business model to drive socio-economic growth in Nigeria. The vision of the government for the industry was to develop a hub to take full advantage of Nigeria’s potentials in aviation.
“We want to develop an industry that provides all the maintenance needs in the country thereby reducing capital flight. We are also determined to ensure optimum utilization of Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) and Multilateral Air Service Agreement (MASA) to the advantage of indigenous airlines” he remarked.
While unveiling the transaction advisers, he noted that they have been working on developing the business case in line with Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and assured that the process would be transparent and all stakeholders would be carried along.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Sabiu Zakari noted that the Ministry has found the Aviation Stakeholders Forum invaluable in policy formulation and programmes development.
“It is our hope that timely implementation of these projects, in addition to ongoing infrastructural upgrade and regulatory reforms in the sector will go a long way to further improve safety, security, efficiency, reliability and sustainability in the sector as well as make the country a preferred destination for airlines” he stated.
The Aviation Stakeholders Forum brings together key stakeholders from within and outside the sector to discuss issues of concern and proffer solutions to such issues.
