The Nigerian Senate has queried the concession of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abujaand Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) Kano.
Similarly, the Senate also urged the Federal government to consider review of the entire concession exercise and give a level playing field to all stakeholders to participate in the process.
This followed resolutions on Thursday by the upper legislative chamber.
The motion sponsored by Senator Suleiman Kawu, representing Kano South Senatorial District is on “urgent Need to Reverse the Concession of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja”.
In his lead debate, Senator Kawu recalled that the Federal Executive Council, on 17th May, 2023, approved the concession of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano for 30 years, to Messrs Corporación America Airports Consortium.
He pointed out that the Federal Ministry of Aviation (and Aerospace) do not own, or run any airport in Nigeria, saying by the dictates of the governing Act of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), ownership and management of all federal government airports were fully vested in the Authority.
Contributing, the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume ( APC, Borno South) bemoaned that some of the government agencies and officials that did the concession, took advantage of what could be described as “Buhari’s passiveness as a leader, to short-change Nigerians”.
Others who contributed to the motion, include, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Senator Sani Musa (Niger East).
Specifically, Rufai Hanga (NNPP Kano Central) sought for reversal of the concession, saying it will bring the airports back on stream.
But Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central) sought for inclusion of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja in the motion and was included.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau who presided the Thursday plenary said concession is a best practice all over the world.
