Officials of the Federal Government said that the concession of the airports was approved by the Federal Executive Council and, as such, there would be a need to get FEC to reverse the process.

Nigeria’s major international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano were put up for concession by the immediate past government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

In May this year, the Federal Government announced that it had successfully carried out the concession of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

The then Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the immediate past Minister of Aviation, James Odaudu, had announced in a statement that the concession of the airports came after the approval of the Federal Executive Council.

But last Wednesday, the House of Representatives resolved to suspend the concession of the airports, as it argued that the exercise did not follow due process. It also mandated its Committee on Aviation to probe the concession. The House is due to inaugurate its various committees by Thursday.

The House of Representatives resolution was a sequel to a motion by Kama Nkemakonam, titled “Need to Investigate the Concession of Airports in Nigeria,” during plenary.

Nkemakonam had stated that the most viable airports in Nigeria were commissioned to foreign firms through resolutions by the Federal Executive Council, which deviated from due process, public accountability, and established laws of the land.

But while responding to inquiries by our correspondents, on Sunday, the Head, of Media and Publicity, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Manji Yarling, revealed that the concession process of two of the airports were nearing completion despite the call for suspension by the House of Representatives.

Providing an update on the current stage of the airports’ concession exercise, she stated that while the Abuja and Kano airports concession projects were approaching commercial closure, that of Lagos airport had been stalled.

For the Port Harcourt airport, the commission’s spokesperson stated that there was still no investor yet for the facility.

Yarling said, “The Abuja and Kano International Airport concession projects have been approved by FEC. The Project Delivery Team and the preferred bidders are finalising the draft agreements. Going by the PPP process, once this is finished, there would be a commercial close.

“The initial plan was to concession four airports – Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt. Whereas Abuja and Kano International Airports got FEC approval, the concession of Lagos was stalled after the issuance of the ICRC Outline Business Case Compliance Certificate, due to a court case by one of the bidders during the procurement process.

“The Port Harcourt Airport was also advertised, but no investor bid was received. The process of procurement will be re-initiated.”

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos had on February 6, 2023, ordered that the planned concession of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and cargo terminals be stopped pending the hearing and determination of a suit filed by Sifax Group of Companies Limited challenging the bidding process.

Meanwhile, when asked if the preferred bidders for the Abuja and Kano airports should not go ahead with their plans based on what the House Representative had said, the ICRC official replied, “This clarification needs to be given by the Reps.”

On whether the ICRC would review or reverse the decision on the preferred bidders for the airports, Yarling said, “The ICRC is an agency of government.

“FEC is the highest decision-making organ of the executive arm of the Federal Government, ICRC cannot reverse the Federal Executive Council’s decision. After FEC approval and commercial close, they (preferred bidders) become concessionaires.”

On why the Federal Government had yet to hand over the airports to the preferred bidders, the ICRC official replied, “The concession of the Abuja and Kano International Airports was approved by the Federal Executive Council on May 17, 2023.

“Going by the PPP (public-private partnership) process, there should be a commercial close which is contract signing between the preferred bidder and the MDA (Ministry, Department, and Agency) ‘Grantor’, after which the project can fully commence.”

Reacting to the claims of the House of Representatives that the concession of the airports did not follow due process, the Head, of Press and Public Affairs, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Oluseyi Odutayo, argued that the FMA followed the stipulated process.

“At the ministry, we are doing the right thing and we believe that there is no secret about the matter. It is left to the government to decide. The ICRC is the regulatory body and they will be able to tell the world and the ministry if we followed due process, which I know we did.

“So the decision will be taken by the government. The ministry will not take any decision or state any opinion on that for now. That is our take on that matter.”

Preferred bidders

In October last year, the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, named the preferred bidder for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as Corporation America Airports Consortium, adding that ENL Consortium was selected as the reserve bidder for Abuja airport.

According to Sirika, TAV/NAHCO Project Planet Limited emerged as the preferred bidder for Murtala Muhammed International Airports, Lagos, with Sifax/Changi Consortium as the selected reserve bidder.

He had further added that Corporation America Airports Consortium also emerged as the preferred bidder for Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, noting that there was no reserve bidder for the airport. However, Port-Harcourt International Airport did not meet the RFP deadline.

‘Lawmakers can’t suspend’

On whether the ministry would suspend the concession of the airports, as resolved by the lawmakers, a senior official at the FMA stated, on Sunday, that the ministry had no power to suspend what was approved by the Federal Executive Council.

The official also argued that the House of Representatives lacked the powers to suspend the exercise, insisting that anyone who was aggrieved should go to court.

“They (lawmakers) can advise the executive but they cannot suspend it. Also, the ministry cannot suspend what was approved by FEC, which is the highest decision-making body of the executive arm of government.”

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The council gave the approval on Wednesday at a meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking to journalists at the end of the meeting, Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation, said the Abuja airport will be concessioned for 20 years while the international airport in Kano will be concessioned for 30 years.

Sirika also said the council approved the ministry’s change of name.

According to the minister, the name was changed from the ‘federal ministry of aviation’ to the ‘ministry of aviation and aerospace of Nigeria’.

“The council also approved the draft national civil aviation policy which is geared towards the strengthening of the civil aviation,” Sirika added.

Last week, FEC approved N449.9 million for the engagement of consultants for the development of a master plan for 17 airports in Nigeria.

APPROVALS FOR PROCUREMENTS IN THE POWER SECTOR

Also speaking, Jerry Agba, minister of state for power, said the council approved two memos for the ministry.

Agba said the first one being an approval for the award of contract for the procurement of 25 numbers of 33 KV circuit breakers and 120 numbers of surge arrestors for systems use for Transition Company of Nigeria (TCN).

He said the contract value is in “the neighborhood of N140 million as argumentation for that”.

“The contract has been awarded before they are ongoing, but we asked for approval for revaluation due to price escalation and additional works. We’re building new sub stations in one of the places,” he said.

Agba added that the council also approved the variation due to price escalation on the construction of the Dukanbo Shonga 132 KV double circuit transmission line.

“Shonga is in Kwara state and that line has been down for several years. So, with this procurement, we should be able to revemp the station and you know is an agro based area that’s the area which service the Bacita farm.

“The shunga farms limited and the whole of that area has been in darkness for a long time. With this procurement we hope that in two months, we should have full power supply to those areas and  restore farming and processing activities in that area. The cost is N1.5 billion.”

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The airport was shutdown in March 2020 as part of efforts to curtail the spread of COVID-19.

It was closedown alongside Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu; and the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.

In a tweet on Tuesday, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) announced commencement of operation in the airport.

It said flight operation resumed with the arrival of Ethiopian Airline.

“Resumption of International flight at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, with the arrival of Ethiopian Airline, today 6th April 2021,” the tweet reads.

This development comes nearly a month after the house of representatives passed a resolution asking the federal government to reopen the airport.

The lower chamber passed the resolution following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Ado Doguwa, house majority leader, and 33 other lawmakers.

The lawmakers noted that the airport had remained closed despite its importance to Nigerians, foreigners and the economy, especially as it is “the hub of Muslim pilgrimages in northern Nigeria, alongside serving other exigencies like emergency medical evacuations”.

According to the house of representatives, the continued closure of the airport had also jeopardised investments and “brought untold hardship in many dimensions from economic to social loss of revenues generated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)”.

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A source close to the airspace agency said the prevailing meteorological condition fell below the prescribed weather minima for the airports.

The source said flights had to be diverted in the airports because it was not safe to initiate any landing or take off of any flight when the weather is below the internationally prescribed minima.

A weather minima in aviation parlance is the conducive meteorological condition safe for flight operations in any aerodrome.

Many prominent Nigerians, including Vice President Yemi Osibanjo and Governors couldn’t fly to Kano on Monday to attend the 12th Bola Tinubu Colloquium.

“There was nothing unusual about flights into Kano Airport on Monday. The authorities gave instructions for flight diversion when the prevailing weather condition was below the standard approved for any flights at such airports.

“Not only Kano Airport was affected, flights into Kaduna Airport were also diverted on account of adverse weather.

“It is a natural phenomenon and global to aviation, that aircraft will have to take the safety decision to divert landing at any airport when the prevailing weather is below the minima.

“Pilots understand this very well and will take the safety decision to avoid any untoward development.”

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According to one of the passengers on board, the aircraft took off at 930am with a strange noise emanating from its right engine which many of the passengers observed.

He added that shortly after, the pilot told them he had to return to base because of the unusual sound.

It turned out that a bird strike cracked the engine propeller which might have inflicted damage to it.

The passengers were disembarked and told by officials at the departure lounge that they were waiting for advice from the airline headquarters in Lagos within one hour. This was not to be.

After about five hours and no officials of the airline in sight any longer, the distraught passengers left the airport without options available to them to travel.

However, the airline later called to inform the passengers, some of whom had made alternative flight arrangements, that a plane would be sent to fly them to Lagos at 11 pm.

A pilot said the decision of the pilot to return prevented a likely crash since the extent of the incident could be more serious.

With Max Air flight already departed and the grounding of Azman Air, the only option available for the passengers was the Air Peace 9.30pm flight.

Confirming the incident, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) spokesman Sam Adurogboye, said it had been reported to the agency’s regional office in Kano.

“Our regional manager in Kano has confirmed it as a bird strike. The aircraft will be ferried to Lagos empty as required by law.

“I further learnt that the passengers were served refreshment while awaiting Aero Contractor’s headquarters for the next line of action,” he said.

The airline said its pilot took a safety decision.

It said in a statement: “Aero Contractors regrets the inconveniences suffered by our passengers on flight N2142 which occurred this morning on March 21, 2021, on the Kano to Lagos flight due to a bird strike on the engine while taking off.

“For precautionary and safety reasons, Aero Contractors had to make arrangements to ferry the aircraft back to Lagos to enable our engineers to undertake a check on the engines and secure the approval of NCAA before returning it to service.

“When the captain heard the sound of the bird strike, he made a safety decision to return to land in Kano despite all engines being normal and within limits.

“After close examination, with the approval of the NCAA and Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), the aircraft was ferried back to Lagos for further examination. We are currently doing everything possible to bring our passengers back to Lagos.”

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Musa Nuhu, director-general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

The three airports shut are; Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu; and the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.

He said the three airports would be closed till further notice, effective Saturday, March 21.

However, he said the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos would still be open but no flight operations will be allowed from the 13 COVID-19 (Coronavirus) high-risk countries.

The development comes after the federal government ordered the closure of all tertiary institutions and unity schools across the country.

Nigerian authorities have taken measures to prevent the spread of the disease. There are currently 12 active coronavirus cases in the country.

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Aliyu had been detained in the Arab country since December when she was arrested at the Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina because tramadol, a banned drug was found in her bag.

She arrived in Nigeria through the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano on Monday in the company of Ibrahim Abubakar, another Nigerian accused of the same crime.

Aliyu, a 22-year-old student of the Maitama Sule University in Kano, had travelled to Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj alongside her mother and sister.

She was arrested by Saudi police authorities over allegations that the bag bearing her name tag contained tramadol.

Her arrest had led to the discovery of an alleged drug cartel at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport that reportedly transferred her excess luggage weight to bag that contained tramadol.

She was released to the Nigerian mission in Saudi Arabia after the federal government made efforts to investigate and establish their innocence.

It was reported that the 7-man syndicate specialise in planting banned drugs in travellers’ luggage to export the substances to Saudi Arabia and other foreign countries.

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Abdullahi was arrested on board Ethiopian Air enroute Kano to China for failing to fully declare the sum of $207,000 in his possession, to the authorities.

He declared the sum of $86,000 but concealed the sum of $121,000. The concealed sum was discovered after he was searched by operatives of the Commission. It is an offence contrary to the Money Laundering Act 2011 (as amended).

The suspect has been granted administrative bail and will soon be charged to court.

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PR Nigeria, an agency that circulates press statements for Nigerian security agencies, had quoted an unnamed top security official as telling it that “Nigeria has no reason to release the aircraft and its cargo until investigation is concluded”.

But the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Adesola Amosun, said Monday afternoon that the government had approved the release of the aircraft.

The government announced the release of the aircraft shortly after a manifest which listed the entire cargo on the plane was published by Premium Times, an online news medium.

According to the document, the Antonov Cargo plane, AN 124100RA82038, with flight number, TTF 9042 from Bangui, Central, African Republic to Ndjamena, Chad, contained a list of 24 military hardware including a vehicle, helicopters and blades.

A breakdown of the items are a steel box weighing 2, 600 kilograms, six bulks of 597 kilograms, two pallets 10, 000 lbs of 4, 550 kilograms with air waybill number 88823400967 all destined for Ndjamena. It is not clear what the steel box contains.

There are also two helicopter Gazelle, weighing, 2, 746 kg, destined for Istres, a community in Southern France.

Others are two blades (7.31m) of 960 kg, two blades (4.83m) of 680 kg, six AKN of 720kg, one vehicle of 4, 050kg and two pallets (10, 000 lbs) of 2800kg, all headed for Istres.

France had said the plane was conveying equipment, owned by its peacekeeping force, from Bangui (Central African Republic) to Ndjamena (Chad), and had diplomatic cover to make a stop-over in Nigeria.

The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jacques Champagne de Labriolle, had said Sunday that Nigerian authorities had agreed to let the aircraft go.

“Due to the nationality of the aircraft, and the nature of the cargo, local airport Nigerian authorities in Kano have decided to check the flight plan, the clearance and the cargo manifest before authorizing the plane to leave,” the ambassador said in statement through which he admitted his country’s ownership of the cargo aboard the aircraft.

“Official information has been supplied by the French Embassy in Nigeria. The Nigerian federal and airport authorities, being satisfied with the documents and the genuine character of the flight, have announced that the plane will be authorized to pursue its flight to Ndjamena.”

Russia had initially said through its embassy in Nigeria on Saturday night that the plane wasn’t Russian and that it had no link with that country.

But in another statement on Sunday afternoon, the embassy said the plane is indeed a Russian one hired by the French government to convey military hardware for its peacekeeping force in the Central African Republic.

The Defence Headquarters had on Saturday said the aircraft, laden with military hardware, was arrested at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano.

This is the third time since 2009 that planes loaded with arms would be arrested in Kano and the detained planes were later released after investigations.

The destination of the latest aircraft has however raised concerns amid increasing worries in Nigeria over Chad’s alleged role in the Boko Haram insurgency plaguing Nigeria’s northeast.

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Both the French and Russian embassies in Abuja have released explanations concerning their involvement in the saga.

Although the Russian embassy initially denied that her country had anything to do with the plane, it later admitted that it belonged to a Russian firm but it had nothing to do with the cargo.

French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jacques Champagne de Labriolle, said in a statement on Sunday that the Antonov plane had to divert to Kano to refuel, and to take off again to reach Njamena Airport.

He said the flight was covered by a diplomatic clearance by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja and that the commercial plane was forced to land at the Kano airport because of dense air traffic at Ndjamena airport, Chad.

An exclusive fact made available to PRNigeria on the matter have it that crew members of the aircraft would be released to the Russian Embassy in Abuja but that the explanations so far given by the French Embassy concerning the source and destination of the cargo were less than convincing.

However, a top security source insisted “Nigeria has no reason to release the aircraft and its cargo until investigation is concluded.”

“In view of the evidence of active collaboration with Boko Haram terrorists by some French speaking neighbouring countries, it has become pertinent for Nigeria to be conscious and be more careful in these matters”, our source declared.

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