Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has suspended the concession of airports and the establishment of a national carrier.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the two projects were major components of the aviation roadmap implemented by the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Keyamo announced the suspension during a tour of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, his first tour of the busiest airport in Nigeria since his appointment.
He said the decision was taken to allow for further review of the two projects.
The concession of airports and the establishment of a national carrier were approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in the last days of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
The concession of MMIA and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja was awarded to Corporacion American Airport Consortium, which comprises the Corporation American Airports, Mota Engil Africa, and Mota Engil Nigeria.
The consortium will make upfront payments of $7 million for NAIA and $1.5 million for MAKIA.
Nigeria Air was also launched by the Muhammadu Buhari administration in the last days of its tenure. However, the airline has not yet received the Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) to commence commercial operations.
Keyamo also announced that the old terminal of the MMIA would be shut down for total repair on October 1. He directed foreign airlines to relocate to the new terminal by that date.
