Aviation Minister Stella Oduah is seeking presidential approval to hand over the management of airports infrastructure to a Chinese firm. In an April 4 memo to President Goodluck Jonathan titled “Proposed management structure for international airports and perishable terminal in Nigeria,” Mrs Oduah made the case for the Chinese takeover.

In another memo, also of April 4, the minister informed the Presidency about the registration of “Nigeria 1 Aviation Limited” as Nigeria’s national carrier.

The minister identified Fraport AG Airport Services Worldwide (“FRAPORT”) a Chinese firm, which it described as a reputable international airport operator, as the preferred contractor.

But, according to sources, due process was not followed before “Madam Minister unilaterally decided to give the job to Fraport AG”.

The memo said that the Ministry of Aviation has already entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FRAPORT for potential cooperation in airport operations, management and development of airport related services.

The minister noted that the ministry worked on the extensive remodeling and reconstruction of 11 domestic and internati

“In addition to the on-going airport remodeling and reconstruction, Government recently entered into agreement with Chinese investors for the construction of state-of-the-art terminals at the four major international airports in Nigeria.”

The MoU, according to the minister, was signed because of the need “to guarantee the proper maintenance of the remodelled and new airport terminals and facilities to the highest international standards, in order to safeguard government’s investments in the airport infrastructure as well as ensure the sustainability of government’s effort at transforming the sector.”

Besides the ministry’s MoU with FRAPORT “for potential cooperation in airport operations, management and development of airport related services, FARPORT is to consider training Federal Airports Authorit of Nigeria (FAAN) employees “to deepen local capacity and ensure on-the-job transfer of management expertise in a through and sustainable manner.

The memo said: “It is proposed that FRAPORT will provide its services in collaboration with local private companies to further ensure the effective transfer of their specialist management skills, work ethics and technology to capable Nigerians firms.

“It is also proposed that FRAPORT will receive management fees as a negotiated percentage of revenue derived from the airports and terminals under management. All other terms of their engagement will be contained in a carefully negotiated management contract, with the expectation that in the not too distant future our local Nigerian companies and expertly re-trained FAAN staff will eventually take over management of our airport facilities to same international standards set by FRAPORT.”

The memo on registration of a national carrier is titled “implementing the establishment of a Nigeria national carrier (passenger and cargo).”

Nigeria 1 Aviation Limited is described as the vehicle for realising the dreams and aspirations of the Nigerian people for establishing a national carrier.”

The memo said its shares are held in trust.

Among other benefits, it said that Nigeria 1 Aviation Limited would ensure sustainable transparency, good corporate governance and accountability in running a national carrier.

These, it said, would eliminate the factors that led to the demise of Nigerian Airways and arrest the dominance of foreign airlines on Nigerian routes and its attendant capital flight, estimated at over N300 billion per annum.

It said that Nigeria 1 Aviation Limited would enable Nigeria reciprocal equitably on the BASA routes, enhance the development of Abuja/Lagos as regional air transport hubs and strengthen the Nigerian aviation sector to play the expected pivotal role in national economic development.

It said that Nigeria 1 Aviation Limited would create up to 100,000 additional direct and indirect jobs and enhance the rapid development of national aerotropolis projects.

It said that the ministry had engaged renowned consultants PriceWaterhouseCoopers to work with identified private sector investors, with a mandate of ensuring the launch of Nigeria 1 Aviation Limited not later than the third quarter of 2013.

“I am pleased to report that the Federal Ministry of Aviation is on track to achieve the projected launch date” it said.
http://nigeriacamera.net/chinese-firm-to-run-airports/

why?

@Post

I don't trust the Chinese. Most of their services and products are substandard and they are equally corrupt.

So Nigeria can't even manage her own airport's infrastructure yet we open our stupid mouths and claim to be Africa's giant? What a joke! No wonder we are still and continue to remain a 3rd world country even with all the resources God blessed us with.

dasparrow: @Post

I don't trust the Chinese. Most of their services and products are substandard and they are equally corrupt.

So Nigeria can't even manage her own airport's infrastructure yet we open our stupid mouths and claim to be Africa's giant? What a joke! No wonder we are still and continue to remain a 3rd world country even with all the resources God blessed us with.

Their Beijing capital airport is amongst the best in world, so I'm not too fearful of how they'll manage MMA.
However, I also agree that it's somewhat disconcerting that Nigerians can't manage their own airports! Recently, FIVE South African airports were named amongst the top 10 in Africa; And guess what? They are all maintained by South Africans.

Are we Nigerians not ashamed anymore ?

*yawns* Goodoomorning y'all!

I don't know whether to trust the Chinese or not. But it's a big shame if we can't manage our own resource.

Mr knowitall.:
this Nigeria..China..relationship is getting more disturbing by the day...

Even Sanusi is getting worried. As the CBN governor, his words carry some weight.

Mr knowitall.:
this Nigeria..China..relationship is getting more disturbing by the day...

lol! and guess what? its just the beginning. and theres so much we can do to stop Nigeria from being one of China's 'slave' but who's ready to be the one to fight against all of THEM??
....
yea, i thought so.

With the way the Nigeria- China alliance is going don't be surprised our politicians would all soon be speaking Chinese! It's a big shame we can't manage our airports when smaller countries like Kenya and Ethiopia are managing theirs with no support from other countries.

corruption is in our system of govt, someone said no, the system itself is corruption.

Chinese ? Sub standard ? Nigeria ?....................................let us be vigilant

Heat grow, gatwick, and many other uk airports are not managed by uk govt. you guys should get unself informed b4 hitting the keyboard.

olabukola: Heat grow, gatwick, and many other uk airports are not managed by uk govt. you guys should get unself informed b4 hitting the keyboard.

Agreed. What some posters are saying is that, at least, there should be a Nigerian company that can effectively manage an airport.

CFCfan:

Agreed. What some posters are saying is that, at least, there should be a Nigerian company that can effectively manage an airport.

gatwick is not run by a uk company, so is Edinburgh or so.

olabukola: gatwick is not run by a uk company, so is Edinburgh or so.

Thanks for the info.
I guess it can go both ways, some countries depend on foreigners, while others depend on their fellow compatriots to handle their airport terminals.

adaobi123: I thought a nigerian owns Gatwick ?

Yes, I remember now. His name is Bayo Ogunlesi. I think he is the Chairman of the company that runs London Gatwick.

adaobi123: I thought a nigerian owns Gatwick ?

Keep dreaming you're on a loooooong thing

Truckpusher: Keep dreaming you're on a loooooong thing

LOL. Im being serious.

adaobi123: I thought a nigerian owns Gatwick ?

no the guy is managing the company, owners are General Electric and one Swiss bank with others.

adaobi123:

LOL. Im being serious.

Serious peeps are in the hospital

Truckpusher: Serious peeps are in the hospital

adaobi123:

what?

Truckpusher: what?

Nothing

olabukola: Heat grow, gatwick, and many other uk airports are not managed by uk govt. you guys should get unself informed b4 hitting the keyboard.

Yeah, but they are managed by reputable home-based (uk) companies. AND are Nigerians complaining about the current arrangement? Methinks someone stands to get kickbacks from this concession.

We should be careful how we parcel out out strategic assets to outsiders in rhe name of management.

Una no say china thing no dey last. Just thinking

Wendyslim: Una no say china thing no dey last. Just thinking

Who said? When given a particular specification for a product, China product lasts as long as it is made to the spec.
Afterall, China manufactures a lot of products for the US when made to their specification.

olabukola: Heat grow, gatwick, and many other uk airports are not managed by uk govt. you guys should get unself informed b4 hitting the keyboard.

SO WE MUST DO FOLLOW FOLLOW BECAUSE UK DOESNT DO
SO WE TOO SHOULD NOT DO
THOSE COUNTRIES WHOSE AIRPORTS ARE RUN BY THEIR GOVERNMENTS
THEY ARE MARTIANS, OR THEY ARE MORE INTELLIGENT
THE UK AIRPORTS U TALK OF ARE RUN BY UK FIRMS NOT SO?

Why dont the chinese just take over the airspace let's get this over with and while they are at it they could throw in the deployment of a stealth fighter jet or two into the agreement. Lol.On a serious note,this is a welcome development i can just picture the frustrated faces of Obama and his team.