The Federal Ministry of Aviation has initiated the Request for Proposals (RfP) phase of the Nigeria Airport Concessions programme (NACP).
In a statement by Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the Minister of Aviation, James Odaudu, the action of the Ministry is in line with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) (establishment, etc.) Act, 2005, and global best practices.
According to the statement, the Request for Proposals (RfP) phase of the Nigeria Airport Concessions programme which commenced on June 1, 2022 has resulted in the notification of Shortlisted bidders in writing and via the transaction portal (http://www.nacp.aviation.gov.ng/).
The statement added that the RfP stage of the programme will close on September 5, 2022.
It, therefore, encouraged all shortlisted bidders to ensure that they make their submissions in a timely manner and as per the detailed guidelines included in the bidders’ package.
Odaudu recalled that the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi while speaking to members of the media on the eve of the NACP bidders conference, prior to embarking on a stakeholders tour of notable international airports in Brazil and Turkey, expressed his confidence in driving a transparent and robust concession programme to completion before the end of year 2022.
“We are delighted to inform all stakeholders and indeed, all Nigerians, that a critical milestone in this programme has now been reached. We anticipate that the programme, including the final negotiations stage will be concluded before the end of the year, thereby allowing for the affected assets to be handed over to the absolute best private sector operators well before this administration hands over to a new, duly elected governmen,” Sirika reportedly said.
The bidders conference, hosted by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission – the substantive regulator for all infrastructure concessions in Nigeria, took place on the June 20, 2022 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja and marked a critical milestone in the process of concessioning Nigeria’s four international airports and associated assets, comprised specifically of passenger and cargo terminals.
Odaidu said delegates of preferred bidders flew into Nigeria from no fewer than four countries, with the majority joining online via the NACP’s virtual conferencing facility.
According to the statement by Odaudu, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Abel Enitan who spoke at the event, expressed satisfaction in the interest of foreigners in Nigerian infrastructure.
“We are delighted to see this level of genuine interest in Nigeria’s infrastructure concession programmes and in particular this airports concession programme. As the global aviation industry recovers, this level of interest Nigeria enjoys from emerging market investors, is testament to the sheer scale of opportunity Nigeria offers long-term investors who share a positive vision of the nation’s future. We wish all bidders well as they conduct their own due diligence and prepare competitive bids for the various assets.” Odaudu quotes the Permanent Secretary.