Business
Minister Proffers Solution For Air Transport Growth
The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika has said that the fastest way to sustainable growth of the aviation industry as well as the transport and tourism industry generally in Nigeria is through Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
Sirka who disclosed this while speaking in a transport summit in Abuja, Tuesday, noted that transportation and tourism are key drivers, and contribute largely to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of any economy.
“Air transport is a major gateway to the International Community. It gives the impression of what is obtainable in a country.
“This makes it expedient to provide attractive infrastructure to our airports and in achieving this, the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Ministry of Transport (aviation section) has commenced the process to concession some of its airports through the PPP and also establish a National Carrier 6 among other projects.
“Catalyzing private sector financing through the PPP is inevitable. It reduces public capital investment and improves efficiency and quick project delivery, as well as customer experience.
“PPP provides better infrastructure solutions than an initiative that is wholly public or private and risk is shared between public sector and investor”, he said.
Also in the forum, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Engr. Saleh Dunoma said that Public Private Partnership is a gateway to resilient growth and sustainable development of the transportation and tourism Tuesday in Nigeria.
The summit was designed to bring together regulators, decision makers and investors in aviation, maritime road transport and tourism.