Airports’ concession: Kano Chamber of Commerce submits bid for MAKIA

Barely few hours after the Ministry of Aviation released criteria for concessionaires of the country’s air travel facilities, a conglomeration of business operators under the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA) has formally declared interest to take over the concession of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).

Vice President of KACCIMA, Ambassador Usman Dama stated this during a media briefing at the NUJ Press Center, Kano.

The declaration follows expression of interest by the Nigerian Government to privatize through concession four of its top airports across the country, including, the Abuja, Lagos, Port-Harcourt and Kano international airports for the period of thirty (30) years.

He said the group is ready to take over the Airport for greater management, efficiency and revenue generation for the state and indeed Nigeria.

“The Kano business community has the capacity to take the property, own and manage it for that period of time for the development of our economy and security of the state. We have the facilities and facilitation to undertake the concession of the Airport,” said Dama.

According to him the business group expressing interest have assets well over N50 billion naira in Kano and more in Kaduna, Abuja among others to undertake the exercise.

“We have capital base more than what is required for concession of MAKIA. Infact we have the capacity to take over even all the four (4) airports the federal government wants to concession across the country,” assured

He said with reference to the concession guidelines, the stakeholders are ready to bring in foreign partners to be involved in the exercise.

He said there are ready to bring back the past glory of the airport to when it use to have more than 50 airlines operating in the airport.

“Kano International Airport is one of the best in Africa. We want to make it the transit hub of the West African sub region for passengers going to Asia, Europe and other parts of the world. It will be revived more than what it is now,” he promised.

He said the group will ensure affordability by the poor, of services to be render at the airport when it’s handed over to them.

“We will not put unnecessary or excess charges so that it can be affordable by everyone. We cannot speak for the airliners but for the operation we will make them affordable,” he said.

KACCIMA Vice president said stakeholders including Commercial and private airliners, freight forwarders, hoteliers, tourism operators, marketers and other businesses have been consulted.

 “They have expressed their readiness to partner with KACIMA in the exercise,” he said.

He said a committee has been inaugurated by the group to look into the guidelines issued by the Federal government on the acquisition of concession rights of the four (4) major international airport in the country and give further advice.

It would be recalled that Federal Government through the Ministry of Aviation in compliance with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and National Policy on Public-Private Partnership (N4P) has released criteria for interested firms wishing to participate in the proposed concession arrangement on the country’s four international airports.

The criteria listed, among others, that prospective firms/consortia interested in the concessioning of the four international airports they must have evidence of financial capacity in support of the company or consortium’s ability to undertake the airport concession illustrated by a minimum net worth of N30 billion.

According to the Ministry of Aviation, prospective firms/consortia must be able to provide Letters of Support from credible financial institutions in support of the consortium’s ability to manage and operate the airports terminals.

The criteria are contained in a request for qualification for the concession of four international airport terminals and related services released, Monday.

A document signed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Engr. Hassan Musa, listed the four major commercial airports to include: Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja; Murtala Muhammed Internatıonal Aırport Lagos; Malam Amınu Kano Internatıonal Aırport and Port Harcourt Internatıonal Aırport.

The document added that the surrounding communities are intended to develop into efficient, profitable, self-sustaining, commercial hubs, which will create more jobs and develop local industries through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) through the Ministry of Aviation is inviting bids from reputable Airport Developers/Operators/Financiers/Consortia for prequalification for the Concession of selected Airports Terminals under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

“The airport’s terminal concession is one of the critical projects under the Aviation Sector Roadmap of the FGN and fits well within the scope of the Ministry’s strategic plan for the sector. The execution of this project is meant to achieve the Federal Government’s objective in terms of air transport value chain growth by developing and profitably managing customer-centric airport facilities for safe, secure and efficient carriage of passengers and goods at world-class standards of quality,” the document stated.

The documents listed the eligibility requirements to include:

* Full names of firm/consortia

* Evidence of Company Registration

* Ownership structure of bidding entity

* Audited Financial Statements

* Sworn affidavit

* Power of Attorney/Board Resolution and in the case of a consortium, evidence in the form of a letter of association agreement.

It further explained that explained that to be pre-qualified for consideration as a prospective PPP partner for the project, the prospective firms/consortia must have technical, operational and financial capability including, Experience in the Development and Operation of an International Airport and Cargo Terminals, Evidence of Financial Capacity in support of the company or consortium’s ability to undertake the airport concession illustrated by a minimum net worth of NGN 30 billion and Letters of Support from credible financial institutions in support of the consortium’s ability to manage and operate the Airports terminals.