Isiyaku Ahmed
Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture, KACCIMA has declared its interest to take over the concession of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).
The Acting President, KACCIMA, Ambassador Usman Darma made the disclosure during a press conference at the Kano Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalist, Press Center on Monday.
He said KACCIMA’s interest follows the declaration of Federal Government to privatize through concession the Abuja, Lagos, Port-Harcourt and Kano international Airports for the period of thirty (30) years.
Ambassador Darma said KACCIMA is well positioned to take over the management of MAKIA for efficient management and to generate revenue for the state.
“The Kano business community has the capacity to acquire the national property, that is why we have decided to organize all the major stakeholders within the aviation sector and the business community to commence the necessary preparations for the takeover.
“Last week, we visited one of the patrons of the Kano State Chamber of Commerce, business mogul, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata who has agreed to key into the proposed plan for the Kano business community to own the Federal Airport in Kano.”
Ambassador Darma also hinted that a committee has commenced work to kick-start the process.
Responding to questions on capacity, patronage, capital base and foreign partnership for the take-over, he explained that “the Kano chamber of commerce is made up of the entirety of the state’s private business entities with very huge capital base.
“We own the Ado Bayero Mall here in Kano that is worth billions of naira and other properties in Kaduna and Abuja.
“We will also go into partnership with some international partners to ensure the smooth running of the airport.
“Kano airport enjoys greater traffic than its counterpart in Port-Harcourt and Lagos in the 1980s but its fortunes begin to dwindle from the 1990’s because of the infamous government policies.
“We (KACIMMA) have the capacity to not only acquire and manage the MAKIA but all the major airports combined.”
He cited example with airports across Europe that are being managed and controlled by private sector players.
Ambassador Darma also revealed that stakeholders including commercial and private airliners, freight forwarders, marketers and businessmen have been consulted.
“They have expressed their readiness to partner with KACIMA in the exercise,” he said.
A committee has been inaugurated by the KACIMMA to look at the guidelines issued by the Federal Government on the acquisition of concession rights of the four (4) major international airport in the country. They are expected to present their report in two weeks, he added.
The press conference was attended by KACCIMA Vice President, Hassan Tahir Yaro and the 2nd Deputy President, Uba Tank Mijinyawa
