Operators in the aviation industry yesterday kicked over the naming of some companies selected as preferred bidders of three international airport terminals to be handed over for concession by the Federal Government. The terminals to be concessioned are in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano.
Noting that some of the listed companies in the consortia had no pedigree in handling airports or its management, the operators expressed dissatisfaction over infractions communicated to the Ministry of Aviation, warranting suspension of the exercise, yet the government went ahead with the process.
Investigations reveal that one of the bidders had written a petition to the Ministry of Aviation to point out obvious infractions in the process, that if not addressed could jeopardise the transparency of the exercise, yet officials of the Ministry of Aviation and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), went ahead to name preferred and reserved bidders.
Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika said the preferred and reserved bidders are foreign companies that are in partnership with local firms.
Sirika said the Request for Proposals (RFP) phase of the Nigeria Airports Concession Programme (NACP),ended September 19, 2022 , to pave the way for the emergence of preferred and reserve bidders for three out of four airports and cargo terminals.
Port Harcourt Airport, the minister said, did not receive any proposal during the timeline for the request.
He listed Corporacion America Airports Consortium as the preferred bidder for Abuja Airport, while ENL Consortium has also been selected as the reserve bidder. TAV/ NAHCO /Project Planet Limited was listed as preferred bidder for Lagos Airport with SIFAX/Changi Consortium as the reserved bidder.
Sirika listed Corporacion America Airports Consortium as preferred bidder for Kano Airport . It , however, has no reserved bidder.
Speaking in an interview, an industry analyst, who pleaded not to be named said it was not enough for Sirika to list the bidder, but the qualifying companies should unfold their plans to make the difference and make Nigerian airports competitive on the continent.
The analyst asks: ” What new things are the bidders bringing onboard?
How seamless can the terminals be for passengers and other users including airlines using them?
Other experts, however, commended two indigenous handling companies for participating in the exercise faulting the Ministry of Aviation for lowering the bar in listing SAHCO as a reserved bidder for Lagos Airport, despite its pedigree in passenger , cargo and ramp handling services.
But, industry experts are seeking clarifications on the criteria for engaging Project Planet Limited, which does not have any footprints in airport management.
Checks on the company reveals that it provides expertise in Traffic Engineering, Urban Renewal and Infrastructure Development across all transport modes.
Corporacion America Airports Consortium, on its part is the largest private airport operator in the world by the number of airports.
