Ease of doing business attracting investors, tourists to Nigeria – FAAN MD

Mr Saleh Dunoma, Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), says the Federal Government’s Executive Order on Ease of Doing Business at Nigeria’s airports is attracting tourists and investors to the country.

Dunoma made the disclosure when he spoke with our reporter on Wednesday after he led delegates at the ongoing 59th Airports Council International (ACI) Africa Conference to some tourist sites in Lagos.

It was reported that over 350 delegates from 42 countries are participating in the conference organised by FAAN.

Dunoma noted that the implementation of the executive order had improved passenger facilitation at the airports, stressing that there was, however, room for improvement.

He said, “the ease of doing business has made it easier for people to come into Nigeria.

“We have visa on arrival at the airport for tourists and investors so that at the end of the day, they will be encouraged to visit.”

On the purpose of the tour, he said it was an opportunity for FAAN to showcase the tourism potential of Nigeria to the delegates.

Dunoma said: “The purpose is to sell Nigeria. It is an opportunity for us to showcase Nigeria and that is why we selected some sites around Lagos so that we can take our guests there.

“We want them to see our culture and our beautiful locations so that at the end of the day we will give them a good impression of what Nigeria is for them to take back to their countries.

“Since Nigeria is trying to attract investors, we felt that during the conference, so many people, including captains of industries and players, have come in and this is the only way we can showcase Nigeria to them.”

The FAAN boss also emphasised that Nigeria needs to harness its tourism and aviation potential in order to maximise the benefits accruing from both sectors.

“Already there is a very strong correlation between aviation and tourism.

“The only thing is that we must continue to strategise and synergise together so that we can move both industries forward.

“Tourism can increase our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It can increase traffic at the airports. It can also increase airport revenues.

“Aviation is a catalyst for economic development. There is no way you can do business without moving from one place to another and the fastest means of transportation all over the world is aviation.

“That is why we need to strategise to make sure that we harvest these benefits by coming together,” Dunoma said.

He said hosting the ACI-Africa conference had again placed Nigeria on the global aviation spotlight after the country successfully hosted the Third International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) World Aviation Forum (IWAF) in November 2017 in Abuja.

Ms Angela Gittens, Director General, ACI World, Canada, told NAN that she was impressed with the high quality of the art works on exhibition at the Nike Arts Gallery.

Also, Mr Phillip Villard, Head, Policy and Economics, ACI World, Canada, thanked FAAN for giving delegates the opportunity to explore Lagos.

It was reported that the delegates also visited the Freedom Park and Terra Kulture, a leading art, culture, lifestyle, and educational centre.