Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo Dismisses Claims Of Enugu Airport Concession

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has dismissed a report that suggested the government had finalized the concession period for the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.

The airport has been in the spotlight following Air Peace’s decision to suspend operations there due to poor infrastructure.

In response, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) temporarily closed the airport, announcing urgent runway repairs.

In a statement released on Monday by the Minister’s media adviser, Tunde Moshood, Keyamo described the report as misleading.

He clarified that although the government is reviewing concession proposals from interested companies for five major airports, no agreement has been reached regarding timelines or terms.

Moshood emphasized that several Nigerian airports are currently running at a loss and rely on monthly government subsidies, which is why the idea of concessions is being considered.

However, he stressed that every proposal is still under review and will pass through the necessary regulatory process, including vetting by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), before any decisions are finalized.

Moshood added that aviation union representatives have been included in the discussions to ensure full transparency, assuring that Festus Keyamo will continue to act in the best interest of both the aviation sector and the country at large.

The statement partly reads: “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.

“Many of our airports are presently running at a loss, so they have to be subsidised each month by the Federal Government. It is noteworthy that this initiative to concession started under previous administrations.

“At this stage, prospective concessionaires have indeed submitted various proposals, including different durations for the concessions. 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 and will eventually be reviewed by the ICRC before being presented to the Minister for onward conveyance to 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 interests.”

Moshood further stated: “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 mistakes of the past. We will ensure that all decisions are made in the best interests of the nation and the aviation sector.”

KanyiDaily recalls that Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu reopened in 2020 after former president Muhammadu Buhari shut it down for the construction of a new runway.