April 21, (THEWILL) – The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has stated that it has not established any fixed duration with respect to the proposed concession of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, in Enugu State.
The clarification follows an online report, suggesting that a certain lengthy period of concession has been agreed upon regarding the Enugu International Airport.
In an official statement issued on Monday, signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Tunde Moshood, the Ministry described the report as utterly baseless and untrue.
According to the state, all submitted proposals are currently undergoing thorough evaluation, which will eventually be reviewed by the ICRC before it is presented to the Minister for conveyance to the FEC for approval.
“We can confirm that this review process has not been concluded. However, for the sake of transparency, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, directed, some months ago, that the Aviation Labour Unions be included as part of the negotiating teams.
“Therefore, we must state unequivocally that the information suggesting a predetermined concession duration is false, unfounded, and intended to cause unwarranted disaffection and mistrust in this process by those with entrenched interest.”
The Ministry assured it is committed to a transparent process that adheres strictly to due process, adding that, with his training and track record, the Minister will not allow anything untoward to happen under his watch.
“He has so far run the Ministry in a transparent manner and will not fall into the same mistake of the past. We will ensure that all decisions are made in the best interest of the nation and the aviation sector”, it added.
The Ministry added that whilst it is true that the Federal Government is considering proposals for the concession of five major airports, this is a proactive measure to ensure these vital facilities can meet and maintain international standards, given the increasing financial demands of their operations.
According to the Ministry, many of the country’s airports are presently running at a loss, so they have to be subsidised each month by the Federal Government, stressing that this initiative to concession started from previous administrations.
“At this stage, prospective concessionaires have indeed submitted various proposals, including different durations for the concession. It is important to emphasise that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has not established any fixed duration. All submitted proposals are currently undergoing thorough evaluation that will eventually be reviewed by the ICRC before it is presented to the Minister for conveyance to the FEC for approval. We can confirm that this review process has not been concluded.”
“However, for the sake of transparency, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, directed, some months ago, that the Aviation Labour Unions be included as part of the negotiating teams”, the statement added.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
