to cancel aviation concessions, leases

TheMinister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah, has hinted that the Federal Government may cancel some concession and lease agreements in the sector because 70 per cent of them are not performing.A statement by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister, Mr. Joseph Obi, on Sunday quoted her as saying this during an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation.Oduah said she inherited horrible concession agreements, which no development-oriented administration could sustain.More than 70 per cent of concessions and leases in the sector are not performing and have not given us a premium on the terms of the contracts, she was quoted as saying.She said the ministry was reviewing the concession and lease agreements in the sector.The statement quoted her as saying that agreements that failed to deliver expected dividends to the government would not be left untouched.Specifically, Oduah pointed out that all concessions and leases that were unfavourable to the government would be cancelledWe will review and cancel those agreements and leases that are not yielding the expected dividends, she stated.The minister, however, promised that the exercise would be carried out painstakingly, fairly and transparently to ensure equity and justice to all parties.On the security concerns at the nations airports, Oduah said the ministry was in concert with all the security agencies in order to make the airports safe for all users.The statement quoted her as stressing that the security and safety of all persons passing through the airports remained a great priority of the government.The minister said she shared the aspirations of all those who desired a national carrier but said that dream could only be actualised when a proper framework had been put in place.We must have a national carrier, but we need to have the appropriate framework to drive and actualise this dream. We cannot actualise this dream without the necessary framework, she said.Oduah listed the other challenges in the sector to include obsolete and decaying infrastructure. She, however, expressed optimism that her road map to revamp the aviation industry would yield positive results.
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