Airport Infrastructure: FG votes N6bn for information, landing systems for four airports
There seems to be more confusion in the planned concessioning of four major international airports in Nigeria by the federal government as upon the determination to privatise them, government is still investing in them.
Globally, whenever an enterprise is slated for privatization, the presiding government ends further investment or upgrade so that the new owners will invest more to upgrade the facilities to the best international standard for higher return on investment.
However, an indication emerged after the Federal Executive Council on Wednesday; showing that the government has upon plans to concession the airport very soon, has approved contracts totalling N6bn for the four named airports in the country including Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt.
Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, told State House correspondents at the end of the council’s meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja that N2.588bn was approved for aeronautical information system that would give accurate information, including weather information, to pilots and other aviators.
According to him, “The council approved N1.188bn to upgrade the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to Category III status”.
Sirika added that the contract would include the provision of Instrument Landing System (ILS) for aircraft operations in harsh weather conditions.
He stated that N1.175bn was approved to upgrade the Akure and Benin airports to Category II status.
“The contracts have completion period of 20 weeks,” he said.
