Aviation
Nigeria recommences move to concession airports
Josephine ADAMA
ABUJA-Talks have just recommenced among the relevant Nigerian authorities on the possible concessioning of the airports, Benjamin Dikki, director general, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), said yesterday.
Speaking during the BPE’s privatisation day held yesterday at the sidelines of the 9th Abuja international trade fair, Dikki said that even though the airports had been improved, the concessioning was now necessary for them to be more efficient and meet global standards.
No timelines have been given yet as it is still early days, but Dikki hinted that his office “has already held discussions with the minster of aviation, who is “agreeable and very keen that we hand over the management of our airports to the private sector.”
He noted that there is already an agreement in principle and that the concept paper was being developed to indicate the direction, timelines and work programmes which would be discussed with the minister before seeking necessary approval of the National Council on Privatisation and President Goodluck Jonathan.
While he could not actually say how soon the process could commence, Dikki, however, explained that the first step would be to do a due diligence on the airports which would be captured in a detailed information document that can be handed to the potential investors to make informed decision.
He hinted that it would likely take between two and six months to complete diagnostic study of all the airports before the process can then commence.
Dikki also announced that the guided liquidation of the NITEL/MTEL was still ongoing and that the prospective bidders were currently conducting data room due diligence on the assets of the companies.
He also said that the privatisation of the refineries was still at the consultation stage, noting that his office was still “consulting with the major stakeholders like the labour unions, among others.
“We want to agree with them on the acceptable framework for the privatisation of the refineries,” he stated, expressing confidence that the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would encourage private sector investors to commit their money into those refineries.
“We are constrained by the absence of the law, and also by the fact that we are holding consultations with major stakeholders to be able to agree on a road map going forward,” Dikki explained.
According to him, the eight bills, which are also critical element in the Bureau’s 2014 work plan including railway bill, inland waterways bill, federal roads authority bill, national transport commission bill, ports and harbour reform bill, federal competition and consumer protection bill and postal reform bill have been reviewed and finalised by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and presently before the FEC.
He envisaged that the passage of these bills would lead to the abrogation of monopoly sector laws, liberalisation of the sector and establishment of regulatory agencies would encourage private sector investment inflows, job creation and higher economic growth.
Dikki assured that the Bureau would be working with relevant stakeholders in meeting the conditions precedent for the declaration of Transitional Electricity Market and to continue to handle post-privatisation issues relating to the Discos, Gencos and TCN.
BUSINESSDAY-
Emirates Airlines has announced plan to resume flight operations to Nigerian airports on October 1, 2024, after a two-year hiatus.
The news was shared by the airline on its verified X handle on Thursday.
It stated, “We’re back Nigeria! We’ll be resuming services to Lagos from 1 October 2024, and we can’t wait to offer unrivalled connectivity to Dubai and beyond to over 140 cities.”
The development was hinted at earlier by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN.
In a post on X on Wednesday, Keyamo disclosed that he met with the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, in Abuja on Tuesday.
He stated that during the meeting, Al-Shamsi handed him a correspondence from Emirates Airlines confirming the flight resumption date.
The Minister wrote “Yesterday (On Tuesday), I paid a working visit to the Ambassador of the UAE to Nigeria, His Excellency, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi at the UAE Embassy in Abuja.
“He handed me a correspondence from the Emirates Airline indicating a definite date of their resumption of flights to Nigeria. That date will be formally announced by Emirates Airlines in a matter of days.”
The announcement signifies another step taken by the Nigerian government to reinstate flight operations between Nigeria and the UAE.
In November 2023, Minister Keyamo had announced that Emirates Airlines would soon disclose the exact date of their return to Nigerian skies.
The flight suspension between the two nations had been amidst a broader diplomatic dispute, primarily concerning the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA).
Visa restrictions further exacerbated the situation, impacting numerous Nigerian migrants and tourists, given the UAE’s popularity as a destination.
Recall that Emirates Airlines suspended its flights to Nigeria in 2022 due to challenges in repatriating funds trapped in the country.
Despite a meeting in September 2023 between Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, where there were rumors that the UAE had lifted its visa ban on Nigerian travelers, the ban still stands.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga later clarified that the UAE had not lifted the visa restrictions on Nigerians.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has taken action by suspending the permits of three private jet operators due to their involvement in commercial flights.
Chris Najomo, the Acting Director General of the NCAA, issued this suspension during a briefing to all airlines on Tuesday.
Additionally, Najomo ordered a re-evaluation of all PNCF permits within a 72-hour timeframe.
The head of the NCAA stated that Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, had instructed the discontinuation of private jets’ commercial use in 2023.
Despite this directive, the operators persisted in their commercial activities.
Najomo said “Subsequently, in March 2024, the NCAA had issued a stern warning to holders of the permit for non commercial flights, PNCF, against engaging in the carriage of passenger cargo or mail for hire and reward.
“The Authority had also deployed its officials to monitor activities of private jets at terminals across the airports in Nigeria.
“As a consequence of this heightened surveillance, no fewer than three private operators have been found to be involved in violation of the annexure provision of their PNCF and Part 9114 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023.
“In line with our zero tolerance for violation of regulations, the Authority has suspended the PNCF of these operators.”
Minister Festus Keyamo has urged the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology in Zaria, Kaduna State, to create new solutions that can speed up the training of skilled air traffic controllers.
This call comes as Africa anticipates a need for 4,203 new air traffic controllers by the year 2037.
The minister made this statement on Wednesday during the 34th IFATAC Africa and Middle East Regional meeting in Abuja.
Addressing the gathering, the minister noted that the goal of training 4,203 new air traffic controllers aligns with the projection from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
He further affirmed the ministry’s commitment to offering full support to NCAT, ensuring it not only meets but surpasses its mandated duties and roles.
He said “ICAO projects that by the year 2037, Africa will require 4,203 new air traffic controllers. The onus rests on the Aviation College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) to develop innovative ideas solutions to accelerate the training of new and proficient air traffic controllers.
The minister, represented by acting director Michael Chiko from Air Safety and Administration, highlighted the rapid evolution of the air traffic control profession.
He stated “The profession of air traffic control has evolved rapidly, transitioning from simple flag signalling to sophisticated technologies. This evolution facilitates management of the surging number of aircraft traversing our
skies daily.
“As a vital, indispensable component of air safety, air traffic controllers are responsible for the safe, orderly and expeditious flow of air traffic. Therefore, I am not unaware of the critical role you play and invariably, the heavy burden you bear.
“This burden is compounded by increased air traffic, workforce shortages, technological shifts; necessitating rigorous training regimes.
“More so, with the emergence of unmanned aerial vehicles, reshaping dynamics and challenging the norm, it is thus paramount to prepare for the future and indeed Nigeria like other countries must prepare for the future.” he added
During the event, Mr. Lawrence Pwajok, representing Engr. Mohammed Odunowo, the managing director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), emphasized the relevance of the 34th IFATCA Africa and Middle East Regional meeting’s theme, titled ‘Shaping the Future: Trends and Insights On ATC Training for Tomorrow’.
Pwajok highlighted the significance of this theme, especially as air traffic control commemorates 100 years since its inception.
He suggested examining the historical perspective of air traffic control, tracing its origins from Croydon airport a century ago to its present form in modern airports like Dubai, Istanbul, JFK, Charles De Gaulle, among others.
This historical comparison aims to provide insights into the potential trajectory of the future air traffic control system over the next century.
He added “It is obvious that the future air traffic management system will be characterised by extensive application of automation, digitization and artificial intelligence.”
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