– NNPP cautions APC, Abiodun

By Christiana Ekpa

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has advised the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State to steer clear of the party.

The party gave this warning on Thursday.

It noted that the need to warn the APC and Abiodun became imperative due to their alleged moves to cause confusion in the NNPP.

Southwest Zonal Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon.

Kilamuwaye Badmus, made these disclosures in a statement made available to journàlists on Thursday.

He alleged that both the APC and Abiodun are trying to frustrate the ongoing petition against the APC, Dapo Abiodun and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the omission of the party name on the ballot papers used in conducting the March 18th governorship election in the state. While speaking further, he said he had never, for any reason, written an apology letter to the former Chairman of the party in the state, Comrade Sunday Olaposi Oginni. He spoke further by saying that the action taken on the ongoing matter at the tribunal is a collective fight to rescue the party in the state.

“I want to also call on the APC-led administration under Governor Dapo Abiodun to stay clear of the NNPP matter, which they are trying to dabble in, to frustrate the ongoing petition against the APC, Dapo Abiodun and the INEC for the omission of our party name on the ballot papers used in conducting the March 18th election.

“Thank you very much the good people of Ogun NNPP; His Excellency Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, NNPP Ogun state guber candidate; the zonal southwest leadership led by Prince Ayoade; NNPP national executive council led by Ag. Abba Kawu Ali and our indefatigable national leader, His Excellency Senator Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for their unrelenting efforts to rescue Ogun state NNPP from the hands of political armed robbers,” he said.

FG to generate $800m revenue from concession of Abuja, Kano airports, says Sirika

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

Hadi Sirika, the minister of aviation, says the federal government will generate about $800 million from the concessioning of two international airports.

The federal executive council (FEC) approved the concessioning of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, and the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

Speaking to journalists after the FEC meeting, Sirika said the Abuja airport would be concessioned for 20 years, while the international airport in Kano will be concessioned for 30 years by Corporación America Airports.

Sirika also said the approval was part of the ministry’s roadmap aimed at putting the nation’s assets under concession rather than privatisation.

According to the minister, the concession would generate $797.4 million (N368.8 billion) as fees and taxes from the concessionaire.

“Put together, it is about $800 million. And this is equal to the amount of money that we borrowed to build those four airports,” Sirika said.

“The consortium that won the bid is Mssr Corporación America Airports consortium and in the consortium, they have Mssr MotaEngil Africa and Mssr Mota-Engil Nigeria and this is through a PPP, and it’s for 20 years for Abuja, and 30 years for Kano.”

Speaking further on revenue expected from the deal, Sirika gave a breakdown of the amounts payable to the government as fees and taxes.

“The concession fees or upfront fees for Abuja is $7 million while $1.5 million will be given for Kano. The fixed concession fee is $401.2 million for Abuja and fixed fees for Kano is $21 million,” he said.

“The variable costs concession fee is $154 million for Abuja, and $26.9 million for Kano. Tax $111.2 million for Abuja and $42.7 million for Kano. The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) supervision fees for Abuja is $16.4 million and $5.3 million for Kano.

“So, the total amount of money that is accruing to the government is $700 million for Abuja and then $97.4 million for Kano.”

The aviation minister also said the aforementioned fees are different from the direct fees the Federal Airports Authority of