The Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprise, Mr Benjamin Dikki, said in Abuja that the privatization of federal airports in the country would commence soon.

Dikki made this known in his presentation on “Reforms and Privatisation Opportunities in Nigeria” at the ongoing 9th Abuja International Trade Fair. He said that although the Federal Government had made substantial investment in the aviation sector, a lot still remained to be done, adding that it was the reason why the government was considering privatising the airports.

“We are planning to commence the privatisation of airports; the airports will be more efficient if the private sector is running them. Very soon, we will engage the Minister of Aviation and we will start a new process of privatising or concession of airports just like we have done with the seaports. We are likely to grant concession of maybe 15 to 20 years, according to the business model agreed on, so that investors can make a reasonable return on the investment during the concession period,” he said.

Dikki also disclosed that BPE was working on the process of privatising some coal blocs and sale of non-core assets of Nigeria Coal Corporation (NCC) and Nigeria Mining Corporation. He said that the National Council on Privatisation had already approved the sale of residential houses and lands of NCC, Naraguta and Maiduguri Bricks, non-core assets of Makeri, and the Ogwashi-Azagba Coal Bloc.

He said that the bureau was currently working to hasten the passage of some bills, including the Railway Bill, Inland Waterways Bill, Federal Road Authority Bill, Ports and Harbour Reform Bill and Postal Reform Bill. He explained that the bills, when passed, would eliminate monopoly in all key sectors of the economy, create more jobs and deepen economic growth.

In his speech, the President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABUCCIMA), Mr Solomon Nyagba, said that the association was ready to partner BPE to make the Abuja Trade Fair Centre better.

“ABUCCIMA wants to make this trade fair ground the most organised in Africa.

“We want to partner BPE to get investors to help us in building the largest shopping centre in Africa and bigger exhibition facilities and a five-star hotel.

“We want to create conducive place for investors and consumers to mingle,” he said.

Nyagba urged BPE to resume the process of privatizing the oil and gas sector to improve the power supply situation in the country.

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