The Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has said that the Federal Government will welcome new ideas and plans geared towards the Muhammadu Buhari government achieving its intention to provide good services to the people of Nigeria which will subsequently lead to the desired change that the government stands for.

The minister said this recently when the Turkish Commercial Counselor to Nigeria, Dr. Ahmet Zafer Gulsen, led a delegation of Turkish investors to pay the minister a courtesy visit at the Ministry of Transportation headquarters in Abuja.

Senator Sirika told the visitors that the Nigerian market is virgin and that the government is ready at all times to welcome partnership that will develop the market. The minister however warned that any such proposal must meet the due process guideline and therefore be competitive hence it is essential for interested investors to showcase what they can offer.

Sirika added that the proposal from TAV Airport holdings which was presented to him at the event, was worth considering as it will draw the attention of policy makers.

He said the government is willing to enter into partnership with any investor that could make it possible for a new terminal that will come with a runway and other facilities of international standard to be built in Abuja to support the existing airport, and also build an airport in any other place in Nigeria where facilities can be put in place for exportation of agricultural products. Earlier, Dr. Gulsen had said that he came to congratulate Senator Sirika on his well deserved appointment as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and to introduce himself and further discuss plans towards better economic and trade partnership between Turkey and Nigeria.

The counselor said Turkey host a Global Brand Airport Operation company which specialises in building of new airports, maintenance, Build, operate and transfer (BOT) and creation of bankable projects. He said Tav Airport Holdings is a foremost company in Turkey that is interested in partnering the government of Nigeria for the development of Nigerian airports and the aviation sector in general.

•Photo shows Senator Sirika.

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