The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has explained why the federal government designated Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port Harcourt as Special Economic Zones, saying that it would harness the socio-economic benefits derivable from Civil Aviation, generating revenues for the government, attract more international and domestic airlines as well as other benefits.
The Minister disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday afternoon, following the approval of the SEZs by President Muhammadu Buhari.
What the Minister said
“The Ministry of Aviation in its desire to address issues concerning taxation, custom duties and fiscal issues in the Nigerian Aviation industry which required a holistic solution, had requested the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA) to designate the four major international Airports under NEPZA Act.
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The Minister of Aviation, Capt. Hadi Sirika, made this disclosure in a statement issued by Mr James Odaudu, the Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Aviation, in Abuja on Wednesday.
The minister said that the four airports comprised the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the Port-Harcourt international Airport, and the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
According to him, the announcement followed the approval granted by President Muhammadu Buhari to that effect.
He said that there were many inherent benefits of the designation and operation of the airports as special economic zones.
“The Ministry of Aviation in its desire to address issues concerning taxation, customs duties and fiscal issues in the Nigerian Aviation industry which required a holistic solution, had requested the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA) to designate the four major international Air
[FILE] President Muhammadu Buhari (right); Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari at the meeting of the Federal Executive Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja….
• Approves N35b for NEPZA power station, N1.3b for Lagos, Abuja airports equipment
• Honours Momoh, Wali at FEC meeting
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, approved 20 new private universities in the country.
Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who briefed journalists after the meeting, said the universities will receive their provisional licenses from the National Universities Commission (NUC), which they will use for three years for monitoring and evaluation purposes.
FEC okays establishment of 20 private varsities
On
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
THE Federal Executive Council, FEC, yesterday, approved the establishment of 20 new private universities across the country.
The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents at end of the 32nd virtual council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, said the approved universities would get their provisional licenses from the National Universities Commission, NUC.
According to him, the approved universities will use their provisional licenses for the next three years, while monitoring and evaluation will go on.
Nine of the private universities are located in North Central, three in South South, two in South East, five in North West, and one in South West.
FEC approves construction of N35bn NEPZA power station
February 04
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Addressing journalists after the virtual federal executive council (FEC) meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, Niyi Adebayo, the minister of industry, trade and investment, said the station, which is to be completed in 11 months, will power the Calabar export processing zone.
The minister said the contractor will fund 75 percent of the project which is about N26 billion while NEPZA will fund the remaining 25 percent of about N8 billion.
Adebayo noted the contractor will take charge of the operations for five years, after which the local personnel trained by the firm will take over.