The Senate has condemned the concessioning of Malam Aminu Kano airport and Nnamdi Azikiwe airport as it was not done in the interest of the public.
It also urged the federal government to review the entire exercise of consessioning the Malam Aminu International Airport and give a level playing field to all stakeholders.
This is the prayer of a motion by Senator Sulaiman Kawu Sumaila representing Kano south.
Presenting the motion before the Senate plenary, Senator Kawu explained that the Federal Executive Council, on 17th May, 2023, approved the concessioning of Mailam Amin Kano International Airport, for 30 years, to Messrs Corporacién America Airports Consortium.
He expressed worries that Nigeria is receiving a concession fees or upfront of $1.5m while the total amount that the Kano airport is accruing to government is $97.4m.
Senator Kawu alleged that this concession was clearly dubious and raise questions on the process and what stand to be gained.
Many senators advised that when the standing committees of the Senate are established, the mandate should be given to them to investigate the exercise for the interest of Nigerians.
In a related development, the Senate urged the FCT Administration, the VIO, FRSC, and other relevant agencies to immediately commence a joint task force to step up activities to eradicate illegal garages and pickup or drop-off points within the Federal Capital City.
This request come shortly after senator Aliyu Ahmed Wadada presented a motion in the need to stem tide of illegal motor packs and pickup point within the FCT.
Senator Wadada believed that the Federal Capital Territory is perhaps the fastest growing city in Africa with the influx of people from all parts of the nation thereby putting pressure on existing facilities and causing increased vehicular traffic as people have come from all works of life to seek greener pasture.
He expressed concerned that even though the Abuja master plan has designated motor parks and garages for pickup and drop-off of passengers, transporters in the Federal Capital City have formed the terrible habit of picking up and dropping off passengers indiscriminately saying this ugly habit must stop.
The Senate therefore urged the joint task force to always enforce the penalty for the creation of illegal garages within the Federal Capital City.
Bashir Mayere
