By Ijeoma Nwankpa, Abuja, Nigeria.
The Federal government has called for qualification for the concession of four International Airport terminals and related services in the country.
In a statement by the Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Aviation, Mr.James Odaudu, the call was in compliance with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and National Policy on Public-Private Partnership (N4P).
According to the document, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Engr. Hassan Musa,the four major commercial airports are: Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, Murtala Muhammed Internatıonal Aırport, Lagos, Malam Amınu Kano Internatıonal Airport and Port Harcourt International Airport.
Musa said the surrounding communities were intended to develop into efficient, profitable, self-sustaining, commercial hubs which will create more jobs and develop local industries through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
According to him,the Federal,through the Ministry of Aviation, is inviting bids from reputable Airport Developers/Operators/Financiers/Consortia for pre-qualification for the Concession of selected Airports Terminals under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement.
He said:“The airport’s terminal concession was one of the critical projects under the Aviation Sector Roadmap of the FGN and fitted well within the scope of the Ministry’s strategic plan for the sector.
‘’The execution of this project is meant to achieve the Federal Government’s objective in terms of air transport value chain growth by developing and profitably managing customer-centric airport facilities for safe, secure and efficient carriage of passengers and goods at world-class standards quality.’’
The permanent Secretary added that the eligibility requirements were: the Full names of firm/consortia, Evidence of Company Registration, Ownership structure of bidding entity, Audited Financial Statements, Sworn affidavit, Power of Attorney/Board Resolution and in the case of a consortium, evidence in the form of a letter of association agreement.
He also explained that to be prequalified for consideration as a prospective PPP partner for the project, the prospective firms/consortia must have technical, operational and financial capability including.
Others he said were experience in the Development and Operation of an International Airport and Cargo Terminals, Evidence of Financial Capacity in support of the company or consortium’s ability to undertake the airport concession illustrated by a minimum net worth of thirty billion naira and Letters of Support from credible financial institutions in support of the consortium’s ability to manage and operate the Airports terminals.
The modalities for application submission shall be in a sealed envelope containing seven copies neatly bound (1 original and 6 copies clearly marked) of the completed RFQ and the required supporting documents, which shall be clearly marked “RFQ for the Concession of Airport Terminals’ and addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Federal Secretariat Complex Abuja.
As contained in the statement, the Application shall be submitted either physically or by pre-paid, registered/certified mail or courier to the address provided.
“The submission shall be on or before 15:00 hours Nigerian Time (14.00hrs GMT) on 27th September 2021”. It explained.
The request emphasised that the RFQ is the pre-qualification stage of the procurement process for the Project in which interested parties are required to meet the pre-qualification requirements specified in the RFQ package. Only pre-qualified parties will proceed to the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage and shall execute a Non-Disclosure Agreement prior to issuance of the RFP documents.
The document, however, urged the interested international parties to partner with local firms in compliance with the requirements of the Federal Government of Nigeria local content development policy while submission of RFQs through electronic media will not be considered.