By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has issued the request for a proposal to intending private investors on the national carrier, Nigeria Air.
In a statement shared via the official Twitter handle of the Aviation Ministry on Monday, the FG said the move is part of efforts towards diversification of the economy and to promote economic growth.
The statement also added that the private sector partners are expected to comprise – Nigerian Financial and Institutional Investors (minimum 46 per cent shares) so that the total Nigerian shareholding will hold a minimum of 51 per cent of the shares of Nigeria Air (including the 5 per cent non-interactive FGN share), as required by international laws for a national carrier.
This comes less than one week after the minister of aviation, Mr Hadi Sirika announced that the Federal Government will issue requests-for-proposal for the establishment of Nigeria Air.
Mr Sirika while making the announcement said because the government intends to own only five per cent of the airline shares, it is going to go ahead with the AOC (Air Operator Certificate), which has commenced since.
He also said the Federal government will give the prospective investors some weeks to respond to the request, then an announcement will be made concerning the winning bidder.
THE STATEMENT
The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Aviation is seeking to reposition Nigeria’s Aviation sector, as part of efforts towards the diversification of the economy, promoting competitiveness of the sector, boosting productivity, and enhancing economic growth.
To this end, the FGN, through the Federal Ministry of Aviation, is inviting interested private parties to submit proposals for the take-over and further development of the National Carrier, the recently launched ‘Nigeria Air’ to take advantage of the opportunities of the largest market in Africa.
The private sector partners/ consortia are expected to comprise of on international Airline {max. 49% shores), and Nigerian Financial and Institutional Investors {min. 46% shores) so that the total Nigerien shareholding will hold o minimum of 51 % of the shores of ‘Nigeria Air ‘ {including the 5% non-interactive FGN shore), as required by international laws for a National Carrier.
Interested parties can download the RFP and the Information Memorandum (1M) from the website: www.nigerianaviationpppprojects.com
Any addendum issued to the RFP will be published on the same website. Clarifications and enquiries may be sent via email to [email protected] and enquiry@nigerianaviationppppro jects.com
All responses to the RFP must be received in hard copies not later than 15 :00 hrs. on the 10th of May 2022 or the address below:
The Permanent Secretary
Federal Ministry of Aviation Federal Secretariat Complex.
Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja, Nigeria
Attention: Director, Planning Research and Statistics.
Last year, the FG said Nigeria Air is expected to take off in April 2022 and with this latest development, this won’t be possible.
