The Federal Government has authorized the concession of the Port Harcourt International Airport to private operators, stating that this action will enhance efficiency and minimize financial losses from the running of underperforming terminals nationwide.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this information to State House correspondents after Thursday’s Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, also assuring aviation workers that the concession plan would not result in job losses.
Keyamo affirmed, “This is a message to the unions: we will engage them. Nobody will lose their job. I’m making this very clear because there has been all kinds of misinformation to the union members. I am pro-union, pro-workers, and I know the kind of pressure they have been putting on me, including people within the system instigating them against these concessions.”
”They will not dictate policies of the government. I repeat, no worker will lose his job as a result of concessions,” Keyamo reiterated.
The minister mentioned that the Federal Government had previously struggled to attract interest in the Port Harcourt Airport during the last administration. However, a revitalized investor confidence under the Tinubu-led government reversed the situation.
”Before we came in, Port Harcourt was a no-go area. Almost all the investors shunned Port Harcourt. But since this government came to power, more than six people were scrambling and falling over themselves to get to Port Harcourt. We now have a business case approved,” he stated.
Keyamo announced that the FEC approved all eight memos presented by the Ministry of Aviation. These approvals encompass the procurement of 15 new firefighting vehicles, which will be deployed at the nation’s five international airports: Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu.
”This is in tune with ICAO standards. The International Civil Aviation Organisation regularly audits our airports to determine whether they meet global standards. One of the key requirements is adequate fire-fighting equipment,” he explained.
Also sanctioned was the procurement and installation of tertiary power supply at all airports and 14 Very High Frequency remote stations managed by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). He said this measure aims to guarantee continuous support for air navigation systems.
Keyamo further noted that the Council approved the full business case for a biometric verification system across all Nigerian airports.
”Too many anonymous people board aircraft using fake identities. That is not good for national security. With this system, your NIN will be linked to boarding data. We will verify that you are truly the one flying. This meets ICAO standards,” the Minister emphasized.
The Council additionally sanctioned the construction of a permanent headquarters for NAMA in Abuja, following its move from Lagos. The minister clarified that the agency is currently operating from rented facilities in the Federal Capital Territory.
Keyamo also declared that all properties belonging to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) both within and around airports have been officially excluded from being sold to private individuals.
”This is a public announcement to those who purported to have bought airport properties: we will not give those properties to them,” he proclaimed.
”Airports are high-security zones. We need quarters for emergency personnel like the fire service and security staff. The President has now approved a memo to that effect,” he detailed.
He pointed out that the previous sales, conducted by a presidential committee under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, had been the source of longstanding security issues at multiple airports.
Finally, the Council also approved contracts within the ministry’s 2024 budget for runway and perimeter lighting, allowing for late-night operations at selected airports.
”Some airports close as early as 6 pm because there are no lights for night operations. We want airlines to fly till 10 or 11 pm to increase capacity and revenue,” Keyamo announced.
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