The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has denied reports suggesting that a lengthy concession period has been agreed upon for the Enugu International Airport. According to the Ministry, these reports are baseless and untrue.
The Ministry confirmed that the Federal Government is indeed considering proposals for the concession of five major airports, including Enugu International Airport, as a proactive measure to ensure these facilities meet and maintain international standards. Many airports in Nigeria are currently running at a loss and require monthly subsidies from the Federal Government.
The Ministry emphasized that prospective concessionaires have submitted various proposals, including different durations for the concession, but no fixed duration has been established. All submitted proposals are currently undergoing thorough evaluation and will be reviewed by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) before being presented to the Minister for conveyance to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval.
The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, has directed that Aviation Labour Unions be included as part of the negotiating teams to ensure transparency. The Ministry assured the public that the concession process will be transparent and adhere strictly to due process, with all decisions made in the best interest of the nation and the aviation sector.
The Ministry attributed the spread of false information to individuals with entrenched interests seeking to cause unwarranted disaffection and mistrust in the process. The Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister, Tunde Moshood, reiterated the Minister’s commitment to transparency and good governance, assuring the public that nothing untoward will happen under his watch.
