Mega local firms partnering with foreign groups to buy airports
There are strong indications that leading indigenous companies are teaming up with foreign firm with good airport management background to bid in the upcoming concession rounds of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
This is as labour unions had staged resistance to any form of concession, saying the deal will handover national assets to nonprofessionals and politicians who may end up in assets stripping as was done in some concession deals in the past.
Workers also have fears of job loss as the investors would like to manage the assets with their team. Another fear of the aviation workers is the issue of security of the nation.
Government had made it clear that the two airports will be the first to go, followed by Port Harcourt and Kano international airports.
However, additional details show that in all, there are body languages to show that political affiliations may play a big role to as settlement for party support in the 2019 elections.
Analysts say the issue of party affiliation may mar the bidding process and churn in firms that may not do well after all.
Business Hilights recalls that the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, had last month announced that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) agreed to the concession of the MMIA, Lagos and the NAIA, Abuja.
Giving the indication during the fifth edition of the presidential quarterly business forum held at the State House, Abuja, Osinbajo noted that “I am pleased to say that the FEC has approved the concession of the Lagos and Abuja airports.”
According to the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, government has also approved the concession of Kano and Port Harcourt airports, as well as transaction advisers for the process.
The minister said, “President (Muhammadu) Buhari has approved that the Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt airports be under concession. The Federal Executive Council has also approved it as well. FEC has approved transaction advisers for the airports and they will start the process soon.”
