The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has dismissed reports suggesting that the Federal Government has finalized a concession agreement for the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.
In a statement released on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, Keyamo said while the government is open to the idea of airport concessions and has indeed received proposals, no final decision has been made.
“The report is completely false and misleading,” the statement read. “Though various companies have submitted proposals for the concession of some airports, including Enugu, there is no approved duration or agreement yet. These proposals are still being rigorously evaluated.”
This clarification comes just days after Air Peace suspended its operations at the airport due to concerns over infrastructure, which prompted the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to shut it down for emergency runway repairs.
Moshood stressed that the financial burden of sustaining underperforming airports is significant. “Many airports are currently operating at a loss and require monthly subsidies from the Federal Government. This is why the idea of concessioning is on the table,” he said.
He also noted that this initiative didn’t start under the current administration. “The move to concession some of Nigeria’s airports predates this government. However, the evaluation process, including input from aviation labour unions, is ongoing and transparent.”
Keyamo was quoted as saying, “With my legal background and public service record, I am committed to transparency. We won’t make the mistakes of the past. All decisions will prioritize national interest and the growth of the aviation sector.”
The minister reassured stakeholders that the process would be inclusive and transparent, countering claims from aviation unions that the Ministry was conducting the concession process behind closed doors.
“No fixed duration has been approved for any concession, and no deal has been signed,” Moshood reiterated. “Claims to the contrary are baseless and intended to stir unnecessary controversy.”
The Ministry said it would continue to keep the public informed as the evaluation of concession proposals progresses, with final decisions to be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council for approval.
