Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has dismissed recent media reports suggesting that the federal government has finalized a long-term concession deal for the Enugu International Airport.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the minister described the report as false and misleading.
He clarified that while discussions around airport concessions are ongoing and proposals have been received from interested firms, no final decisions have been made.
This clarification comes in the wake of recent concerns surrounding the Enugu airport, which came under public scrutiny after Air Peace suspended its operations there, citing infrastructural issues.
Following the development, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) shut the airport temporarily for emergency runway repairs.
Moshood noted that most Nigerian airports are currently operating at a loss and are heavily subsidized by the government, making concessions a necessary step toward sustainability.
The statement read: “It is true that the Federal Government is reviewing concession proposals for five major airports as part of efforts to upgrade these facilities to global standards amid rising operational costs.
“However, there has been no agreement on the duration of any concession. Proposals received are still being evaluated and will undergo scrutiny by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) before being presented to the Minister and then to the Federal Executive Council for final approval.”
He also emphasized the transparency of the process, revealing that aviation labour unions have been included in the discussions to ensure accountability.
“The claim that any specific term for a concession has been decided is entirely false. It appears to be an attempt to create unnecessary tension and distrust around the process by certain individuals with vested interests,” Moshood added.
In response to concerns raised by labour unions about the process being conducted secretly, the minister reassured the public of his commitment to transparency and due process.
“Given his background and reputation, the Honourable Minister is committed to upholding integrity in the management of the ministry’s affairs. He is determined to avoid past mistakes and ensure that all decisions serve the best interest of the country and the aviation industry,” the statement concluded.