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FAAN seeks investors to develop airport facilities

By on April 1, 2016

To improve efficiency and render better services to the flying public, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has said that it is seeking private investors for the development of infrastructure across the nation’s airports.

The Managing Director, FAAN, Mr. Saleh Dunoma, made the disclosure at the ongoing 2nd Airport Business Summit and Expo in Abuja, where he made a presentation entitled: ‘Terminal expansion: Key to maintaining high standards of operational efficiency and improved airport users’ experience’.

He said FAAN was willing to partner genuine investors in a mutually beneficial relationship on airport projects, and was open to discussions for collaboration under the Private-Public Partnership model.

He informed would-be investors that the airport investment principle would focus on delivering excellent customer-centric services, adding that projects must be designed to align with this vision.

Dunoma, who was represented by the agency’s acting Director of Commercial and Business Development, Mr. Toyin Okpaise, stressed that the aviation sector was strategic in the Federal Government’s quest to diversify the nation’s economy and create wealth and prosperity for the teeming populace.

This, he said, explained the massive investment of funds in the sector by the government.

According to him, the ongoing reconstruction and upgrade of terminals of the 22 Federal Government-owned airports has opened up new employment opportunities.

Beyond improving operational efficiency and passenger facilitation, the new terminal facilities, Dunoma stressed, would bring opportunities for more investments to make the airports more user-friendly.

He said, “The Federal Government, as the primary investor in Nigeria’s 23 airports, is gradually opening doors for genuine private investors to partner and work with the government to explore the various opportunities in the sector.

“The primary objective of this summit is not only to help position African airports in the global investors’ market, but also increase the number of investment companies and players such as the commercial banks, DFIs, investment banks, investment or infrastructure funds, as well as alternative funding through the pension and sovereign wealth funds’ inflow into airport infrastructure development.”

Speaking earlier, the organiser of the summit, Fortune Idu, commended FAAN for expanding the business horizon, calling on participants to take advantage of the forum to network and share ideas.

 

[Punch]