BY OBUTE JAMES
The House of Representatives has resolved to mandate the Committee on Privatization and Commercialization and other relevant committees to investigate the concession of Nigeria Airports by the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
Hon. Kolade Victor Akinjo, Vice Chairman House Committee on Privatization and Commercialization told THE LEGISLATURE (www.thelegislatureng.com) in an interview that the Ministry of Aviation did not involve the relevant governmental organizatios and relevant stakeholders in the bidding process.
The House Resolution on Tuesday 28th September to Investigate the concession of some Airports in Nigeria followed the motion “Need to Investigate the Concession of some Airports in Nigeria” by Hon. Kolade Victor Akinjo
Presenting the motion, Akinjo said “The House: Notes that the Federal Government embarked on Privatization and Commercialization of Public Enterprises to introduce Private Sector Resources and discipline, create jobs, reduce the burden of funding of the Public Enterprise on the national treasury in line with global best practices.
“Also notes that the National Council on Privatization (NCP), in the exercise of the powers conferred on it pursuant to Section 2 and 3 of the Public Enterprises (Privatization and Commercialization) 1999 Act, approved that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Kano and Port Harcourt International Airport be commercialized by concession; Further notes that the NCP succeeded in the concession of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to a core investor in January 2007 but the process was aborted for security reasons and the matter is pending in Court;
“Aware that the Federal Ministry of Aviation has commenced the process to concession the aforementioned Airports but without the involvement of NPC and BPE which is in violation of the Public Enterprises (Privatization and Commercialization), 1999 Act; Concerned that Federal Government may not be able to realize the objectives and aims of the concession to attract credible investors because of potential litigations as a result of the breach of the provisions of the BPE Act and other relevant Acts.
The House among other things mandated the Committee on Privatization and Commercialization and other relevant committees to investigate the concession of Nigeria Airports by the Federal Ministry of Aviation.