FEC approves business case for concession of PH international airport

Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, says the federal executive council (FEC) has approved the business case for the concessioning of the Port Harcourt International Airport.

Keyamo said the FEC also approved the construction of a new headquarters for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) in Abuja.

The minister spoke to journalists in Abuja on Thursday after the council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

He said the approvals were among eight aviation-related memos presented by his ministry and endorsed by the council.

“We have two major airports now that we have approvals in terms of the business case to begin to finalise with private investors,” the minister said.

“Before we came in, Port Harcourt was a no-go area; almost all investors shunned Port Harcourt. But when this administration came in, more than six companies were scrambling and falling over themselves to get Port Harcourt.

“So, we presented it today and we have a business case approved.”

Keyamo assured that no worker will lose their job as a result of the concession process, adding that while the government is open to engaging with unions and addressing their concerns, they will not be allowed to dictate government policy.

Speaking on the approved construction of a permanent headquarters for NAMA, he said the agency currently operates from rented properties, which poses security concerns.

“We are renting private properties, and it is not safe enough for the country to equip private buildings for such command and control centres to monitor flight across the country,” he said.

“We want to build a permanent headquarters for NAMA in Abuja.”

OTHER AVIATION PROJECTS APPROVED BY FEC

The minister said the council also approved contracts for maintenance and support services for airport management solutions at the five international airports — Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu.

In addition, he said the council approved the procurement and installation of advanced tertiary power systems for airports, navigational aids, and 14 VHF remote stations managed by NAMA.

Keyamo said the FEC also approved the purchase of 15 airport rescue and firefighting vehicles for the five major international airports, in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.

The minister further disclosed that the council approved a memo to exclude properties owned by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) within and around airports from being sold to private individuals under the old presidential implementation committee on government properties.

In another approval, he said the council endorsed the full business case for the concession of biometric verification systems at Nigerian airports to enhance passenger identification and security.

“We have a system now that is linking all the NIN to the airport, both local and international flights. When you come and present yourself, we will actually verify through your NIN that you are actually the person boarding,” Keyamo said.

“It is for safety and security and ICAO standard. We have approved that and we will go into full implementation.”

He added that the FEC also approved the installation of airfield lighting at several airports to enable night operations and extend flight hours for domestic airlines.