From Mathias Okwe, Abuja

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group is the Lead Transaction Adviser to the BPE for the concession of the airports.

The bids' opening comes up at 9. am at the BPE Conference Room. Three investors short-listed had earlier in June this year undertaken a data room inspection of the airport facility from where the ill - fated ADC aircraft, which crashed shortly after take - off three weeks ago heading for Sokoto originated.

The three investors include: Airport Company of South Africa (ACSA), Airport Consortium of Vienna, which is the lead company of Nigeria International Airport Partners and Nairanet Consortium.

However, The Guardian learnt yesterday that one of the bidders had withdrawn owing to its inability to meet up with the financial deadline for the 10 per cent bid bond while another withdrew and joined forces with another to form a strong consortium which may be a lone bidder in today's transaction.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Malam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, had told the concessionaires to take full advantage of the great business opportunities offered by its facilities and location in the fast growing Federal Capital Territory and present attractive technical and financial bids.

According to him, by virtue of the FCT Act, the airport belongs to the FCT, and to support the commendable privatisation efforts of the BPE, he assured the bidders of his resolve to assist in clearing all obstacles to the concession of the airport.

The investment attractions, which the minister listed, include the airport being part of the Abuja master plan, designed as the Conference Capital of Africa and currently inhabited by 7.5 million people or five percent of the population of Nigeria. Abuja, according to El-Rufai has the highest per capital income in Nigeria.

According to the minister, the Abuja Airport is designed to have 10 terminals and is located in the middle of Nigeria, making it a convenient gateway to any part of the nation and therefore a good investment.

He promised to give the bidders necessary information including the title documents, which are vested in the FCT, adding that work is progressing fast on the environmental audit and assets register of the airport. Illegal squatters will be removed from the precinct of the airport whose large perimeter will be secured and fenced.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) currently manages the airport with other 21airports in the country.

International airline operators flying into the airport are British Airways, KLM Dutch airlines and Lufthansa German airline.

The Abuja Airport is the fourth biggest income earner for FAAN after those in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano.