The Nigerian Senate has announced its intention to launch an investigation into the concession of two prominent airports in Nigeria, namely the Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The decision to initiate this investigation stems from concerns over the lack of transparency surrounding the airport concession process.
The motion to investigate the airport concession was tabled by Senator Sumaila Kawu, who argued that a careful examination of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Act and the ICRC procedures manual revealed fundamental flaws in the foundation of the concession procedure.
Senator Kawu emphasized that the Federal Ministry of Aviation does not possess or operate any airports in Nigeria. Instead, in accordance with the governing Act of FAAN, the ownership, and management of all federal government airports are entirely entrusted to FAAN.
Drawing attention to a specific instance, Senator Kawu pointed out that the Federal Executive Council approved the 30-year concession of the Aminu Kano International Airport to the Consortium of Messrs Corporation America Airports. However, he strongly criticised the decision, asserting that it is fundamentally flawed and should be deemed null and void.
The lawmaker expressed deep concern over the terms of the concession, highlighting that while Nigeria is receiving an upfront concession fee of $1.5 million, the overall value that the Kano airport is expected to generate for the government amounts to a staggering $97.4 million.
Consequently, the Senate has unanimously denounced the concession of these airports, signaling a firm stance against the lack of transparency and potential irregularities in the process. The investigation will shed light on the matter and address the pressing concerns surrounding these crucial national assets.