Marching on with the proposed Nigerian airports concession - Sirika

When President Muhammadu Buhari announced the appointment of Captain Hadi Sirika as Nigeria's aviation minister, the reaction across the country indicated that president made the right choice. 

Sirika, 53, a retired pilot, was seen as a perfect fit for the job, given his background as a major stakeholder in the Nigerian aviation industry. 

One of the policy thrust of Sirika's almost two years in charge of the aviation ministry is his determination to concession the international airports in Nigeria. 

Interestingly, the move by the minister has gained support within and outside Nigeria, as many say concession is the way forward to address the deplorable conditions in majority of the airports.

While those who are kicking against the minister's move might have genuine reasons for doing so, it is important to state that concessioning is the best way to meet modern demands which most Nigerian airports lack. 

What is concessioning? It simply means when a government concedes an airport to private investors, that is, relinquishing management of the facility for a private concern.

lists the advantages of concessioning Nigerian airports below: 

1. Countries with the best airports around the world are those who had long privatised or concessioned their airport terminals. Private investors make sure airports measure up to global standards as it is an advantage to their business and reputation as a corporate entity. 
2. The best way the aviation industry can contribute to Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product is through concessioning. At a time the federal government is intensely looking for other sources of income due to dwindling oil prices in the international market, concessioning would help the aviation industry contribute significantly to Nigeria's GDP. 

3. Concessioning will ensure domestic airlines make profit and navigational facilities at airports work efficiently.

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