Sirika: Why FG is Shopping for Investors for National Carrier, Airports Concession, Others

• IATA: Africa had highest air accident rate in 2015

Dele Ogbodo in Abuja

The Minister of Aviation for State, Mr. Hadi Sirika, on Monday said the absence of a strong carrier, lack of major maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility and inefficient airport operations are some of the reasons that the government is shopping for partners to invest their resources to recreate the sector.

The minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Sabiu Zakari, made the disclosure at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) conference in Abuja.

He said the country which serves both the West and Central African market of 600 million people has no significant aviation businesses.

On partnership, he said: “The aviation sector is full of opportunities, some of which include concessioning the Abuja, Kano, Lagos and Port Harcourt airports, partnership to establish a national carrier, and establishment of MRO centre.

Other areas listed by him are Aviation Leasing Company (ALC), development of agro-cargo terminals and associated infrastructure partnership to upgrade the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) in Zaria.

He said government will also partner the private sector in hospitality, hotels and resorts logistics, adding that it will include facilitation taxi and car hire services.

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