Federal Government has hinted of plans to concession Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano airports for a minimum of 20 to 30 years.
It provided the explanation in a document on frequently asked questions about airport concession released by the Federal Ministry of Aviation in Abuja on Wednesday.
In a document on the status of the road map/public-private partnership projects concession of airports, the government named the airports/parts that were up for concession, Punch reports.
They include the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos: international and cargo terminals; and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja: international, domestic and cargo terminals.
Others include the Port Harcourt International Airport, Port Harcourt: international, domestic and cargo terminals; and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano: international, domestic and cargo terminals.
Providing additional explanation on the duration of the concession in a separate document, it said, “Infrastructure concessions of this nature come with a significant financial obligation which any responsible concessionaire will no doubt be keen to recoup.
“To this end, we envisage a minimum of 20) to 30 years for the programme, which may be extended depending on performance and Nigeria’s best interests.
s“That said, the duration is not set in stone and will be subject to negotiation and then final approval by the Federal Executive Council.”
The aviation ministry stated that although the airports had huge potential, they were currently operating at a sub-optimal level.
It said the government was starting with the most strategic assets because successful delivery of this concession programme would give all stakeholders the confidence required to consider other possibilities in the sector.
The ministry said the concession applied to the non-aeronautic assets of the airports located in the passenger and cargo terminals.
It said these comprised the assets from the entry door of the airport to the point of embarking and disembarking from an aircraft to the exit doors.
The ministry explained that this space commonly referred to as the passenger terminal comprised of retail spaces, waiting and seating areas, airport and airline lounges, baggage collection, check-in counters as well as administrative offices.
It added that the cargo terminals were comprised of the facilities between the point of entry and up to loading and off-loading points, including administrative offices within said facilities.
