The Delta House of Assembly has approved the concessioning of the Asaba International Airport to attract foreign and commercial cargoes.
The approval followed a motion moved on Tuesday by the Majority Leader of the House, Assemblyman Tim Owhefere, at the plenary the House in Asaba.
Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa has earlier requested the Assembly to approve the proposed concessioning of the airport.
Okowa said that the concessioning was part of the state government’s efforts to leverage on the transport infrastructure toward the diversification of the economy from dependence on oil revenue.
“The state government called for the expression of interest from reputable companies for the concessioning of the airport.
“The decision, which is in line with our administration’s operation strategy, is to create room for the involvement of the private sector in the redevelopment and the upgrade of existing facilities at the airport.
“This will enable the airport to meet international standard as well as attract foreign commercial and cargo airline operators into Asaba.
“The concessioning exercise is among other accelerated investments in new infrastructure at the airport and the upgrading of the existing ones to satisfactory standard.
“Having regard for the benefits that will accrue to the state with the concessioning of the airport, the State Executive Council, at its 9th meeting held in August 2019, approved Messrs FIDC-Menzies Consortium as the preferred bidder for the concessioning of the Asaba Airport,” he said.
The motion for the approval of the airport’s concessioning was unanimously adopted by the Assembly.
The adoption of the motion followed a voice vote called by the Speaker, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, and seconded Assemblyman Emmanuel Sinebe, member representing Patani constituency in the Assembly.
