Players in the air travel logistics and cargo value chain are jostling for an investment window in the new Gateway International Cargo Airport, Ilasan-Remo, Ogun State.
The prospective investors were eyeing the public-private partnership (PPP), model unveiled by the state government for the first hybrid airport packaged as an – aerotropolis for non-oil export in the country.
A source familiar with the development said bidders, including airlines, cargo and ramp handling, logistics, courier companies, pharmaceutical companies and others wer expressing their interests to the state government for the vetting of their business proposals.
According to the source, the interests of the prospective bidders were hinged on the location of the cargo-passenger terminal, which is on the artery towards many geo-political zones in the country.
A Professor of Geography and Transportation Studies, who pleaded not to named, said plans by the Ogun State Government to facilitate a rail link from the terminal into the national rail network would position the airport for profitability.
Though the state government has secured an operational licence from the Ministry of Aviation, its officials are working to secure certification from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
An expert familiar with project said the state government was also working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to complete the processing centre proposed for Sagamu.
Sources hinted that some indigenous carriers, including Value Jets Airlines and other premium services providers – charter firms have opened discussions with aviation authorities and Ogun State Government on the modalities for extending their operations unto the new airport.
In a particular case, a major player in the pharmaceutical sector with a factory in Sagamu Interchange, in Obafemi Local Government of Ogun State would be using the new airport to distribute its products around the globe.
Besides the pharmaceutical firm, the association of farmers are also opening discussions with Ogun State Government on how to utilise the airport for the air freighting of their produce to many countries.
A source hinted that many courier firms who use the Lagos Airport for the sorting of their mails are considering moving to the new Ogun State Airport because of the length of the runway – four kilometres which can accommodate bigger aircraft including – Boeing 747, Boeing 777 and Airbus 380.
Experts in the aviation sector say lower handling, airport and other aeronautical charges will pull airlines and others into the new airport.
They affirm that the manufacturing clusters around the Lagos- Ibadan, Sagamu-Ijebu Ode-Epe corridor will drive patronage for the new cargo- passenger airport.
No comments:
Post a Comment