Minister of State, Aviation
A think tank in the aviation industry in Nigeria, Aviation Round Table (ART) has thrown its weight behind the recent decision of Federal government to concession four airports in the country.
In a statement signed on behalf of its President, Mr. Gbenga Olowo by Mr. Olumide Ohunayo said the group commended and supported the government’s moves that would position the nation’s international airport for efficient service delivery in line with global standard.
“The ART commends and supports the recent Federal Government decision to concession airports in the country.
“ART cautious optimism is premised on the following :that the government recognises the team spirit and interdependence of activities prevalent in the industry.
We are cautiously optimistic that the policy thrust designed to raise the level of services at our airports is in line with global best practices that will be of pride to all Nigerians,” the body said.
Olowo said ART’s cautious optimism was premised on the need for government to recognise the team spirit and interdependence of activities prevalent in the industry.
ART however, enjoined the federal government to adopt collaborative strategies in its decision at making regarding aviation matters, even as it advised sustained and formidable stakeholders’ engagement of all relevant elements in the Nigerian aviation industry to reassure, gained confidence and buy-in into the new policy thrust.
Mindful of controversies that dogged the path of similar exercises in the recent past together with the need for transparency and the adoption of credible legislative instruments, ART implores the federal government to ensure transparency; accountability and fairness to all stakeholders and participants which are the hallmark in a concessioning process and would advertently be in line with the “Ease of Doing Business” model.
It added that this could be demonstrated by government by making it accessible to interested members of the public, the report of consultants it engaged with public funds on the airport national carrier projects.
We believe this could enrich contributions and the participation of a large segment of Nigerians and will also ensure a successful execution of the programme.
ART further demanded that the government should make categorical pronouncement on provision made to address capacity building and service level agreement to be embedded in the proposed concession.
The group therefore recommended that clustering concession model where the smaller airports should be attached to a major airport being concessioned, with the national interest, priority and objectives.
ART also advised that the security management of the concessioned airports be retained by the federal government and factored into the national security architecture once advocated by the group.
It also implored government to provide necessary guidelines that will facilitate and smoothing the concessioning process bearing in mind the pit holes of the past.
Finally, the group advised that government should ensure that emergent concessionaires include insurance and routine certifications of the airports so concessioned.
