Reps order suspension of airports concession plan

Chinazor Megbolu    |

The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation has ordered the suspension of the proposed concessioning of four airports by the Ministry of Aviation.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr Nnolim Nnaji made the resolution on behalf of his panel, when the Minister of aviation failed to appear before the committee for the fourth time.

Mr Nnaji said the committee invited the minister to discuss issues raised by labour unions in the aviation sector during the meeting with the committee.

The issues, according to him include, Concession of four airports, lack of transparency in the exercise, labour issues, the Chinese loans, the legal issues that may arise from the existing concessions and the lack of proper valuation of the present status of the affected airports, among airports Concession.

The Committee chairman added that they had also received several letters from stakeholders both in favour and against the Airports’ Concession .

Mr Nnaji therefore, ordered that the concession of the four Airports, should be put on hold, pending the resolution of the contentious issues raised by the unions and other stakeholders, to avoid industrial actions that may further cripple the already distressed industry.

He expressed the hope that at the end of the day, their intervention will provide the opportunity for all the parties to reach a common ground, that will move the aviation industry forward.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Hassan Musa, who represented the Minster at the meeting, pleaded for more time, to allow the Minister appear before the Committee.