Chinese, Arabs, Europeans want to invest in aviation industry – Keyamo
Massive investment is in the pipeline for the Nigerian aviation industry as investors from around the globe have continue to express desires to invest multi-billion dollars in the sector seen as the largest market in Africa.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Keyamo (SAN) disclosed that his office have been receiving messages from Chinese, Arabs and European business communities who have indicated their interest to invest in Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) sub-sector of the industry on a Public-Private Partnership (PPPs) model.
Mr. Keyamo spoke as Special Guest of Honour at the 28th edition of the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) annual conference in Lagos with the theme, “Aviation Survivability amidst a Challenging Macro-Economic Environment,” on Friday.
While calling for investment in the sector, the minister said The Arabs are talking to us. The Chinese are talking to us. The Europeans are talking to us.
He said “Some have spoken about the MROs. I think it is at the heart of the improvement of our local aviation industry. We need to bring in the MROs.”
“People are already talking with us. I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag. Very soon, we are going to advertise and call for partnership.
“That is the only way to go. And I think we need to call in people with money. So, for our local businessmen, our banks, financial institutions, financiers, don’t say that foreigners are coming to take your business away.”
“It is big business. Anybody that establishes a world-class MRO now, I know people will say something. But we still need more. Something that can take the 777, if you bring them in, you will serve the whole of West Africa.
You will serve the whole of Central Africa. You will serve a good part of Southern Africa if you can get the MROs now into Nigeria.”
Mr. Keyamo said “There is not so far in the whole of West Africa and Central Africa for the real big bodies, the wide bodies. So, we encourage all of you. The American wants to invest. And you know why it has to be PPPs. It is difficult to establish an MRO at an independent venue, different from an existing airport.
You can’t build it because you need a runway to get to an MRO. So, it is pretty difficult.
So, you have to talk with us for us to give you one within one of our international airports. We are in the process of doing a master plan.”
So, we are going to mark out clear areas for MROs within the international airports. So, we are calling. I won’t say we are begging.
We are telling you to come and make money. So, we are not begging for investment. Come and make money.”
