Some issues discussed at the recent aviation safety round table, during it’s Webinar held on Thursday, with the theme, Nigerian Airports Concession: How Far, So Far?
The session acknowledged the necessity for the government to concession airport terminals, in order to reduce financial burden on the Federal Government for airports
infrastructure development management.
The concession of the terminals should not just be a departure from the status quo but with an objective to deliberately drive regional competitive hubs as well as mega carriers that will operate in those hubs.
The participants enjoined the Ministry of Aviation to ensure that the terminal
concession process is transparently conducted in compliance with the extant laws and due process to avoid post-agreement controversies and rancour as previously experienced.
In addition, the Government should, in its current concession plan
consider the totality of all the 22 airport terminals.
The session was informed of the recruitment of a strategic Communication Consultant
who is expected to disseminate important information on the concession process for the
benefit of all stakeholders.
Therefore, the government should define and clarify what is to be concessioned within the airport.
All existing legal, labour, and other complications arising from previous experiments
(Nigeria Airways (WT), NAHCO, etc.) should be conclusively resolved. Therefore,
there is need for government to allay the fears of the unions and employees of FAAN
with regards to the planned concession. The process must be FAIR &
TRANSPARENT.
The controversies surrounding the various concession agreements between FAAN and
the following: AIC Ltd., Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, Maevis Ltd., Toll
Plaza Operator and all other such agreements should be resolved as soon as possible by
parties involved before moving on to sign new concession agreements in order not to
discourage prospective investors.
It was also recommended that the concession be done with the objectives of protecting
users’ interest through the provision of innovative and quality services by service
providers as well as leveraging private sector funds amenable to modern technologies
to provide improved infrastructure comparable to global standards.
It was further recommended that Government should have minimal participation in
airport’s terminal management and infrastructure development but should concern itself
primarily with aeronautical services and regulatory interventions and oversight.
The webinar also recommended that the proposal for a connected rail system is designed to ensure interoperability of the domestic and international terminals at the MMIA
Lagos be revisited to enhance passenger facilitation and air cargo management.
The modest successes recorded in terminal infrastructure and services at the MMA2 should be improved upon and adopted as a strategy for development of other terminals
in the country.
There is need for aviation authorities in Nigeria to understudy successful models of
terminal commercialisation and operation in other climes to gain deeper understanding
of airport concession and management to minimise controversies associated with such
Olumide Ohunayo
For:Aviation Round Table
