The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the former president of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama has said the NDC is against attempts by the government to hand over 66% share of the Kotoka International Airport to TAM-SUMMA Consortium, a Turkish company.
According to Mahama, it is strange why the Airport which was valued to be at about GH¢5 billion and so it’s strange that the government intends to cede 66% of its control of the airport to the private company in exchange for $70 million.
“When we were in office, a valuation study of the Kotoka Airport was done and it was valued at over GH¢ 5 billion. It also had an insured value in the region of GH¢3 to GH¢4 billion because a lot of money had been invested in the airport and it had become one of the five best airports in Africa.”
“[Now we are seeing] a strange development where a Turkish company is being given the airport; to take over the airport and run it. For $70 million we are giving 66% of the airport to a Turkish company. We are against it. It is wrong,” John Mahama said.
He added that, the government can find alternative in raising money to keep the airport functioning other than the currently proposed arrangements with TAM-SUMMA Consortium.
“Even if you sold some of the lands around the airport you will be able to raise far more than $70 million,” he noted.
The former President also suggested that the government should consider triggering clauses within the airport expansion project loan agreement to enable a rescheduling of the facility.
Source: GhanaFeed.com