FG Hands Over Enugu Airport to Concessionaires in Major PPP Deal

THE Federal Government has officially handed over the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu, to concessionaires Aero Alliance Limited under a public-private partnership arrangement.

Following the execution of handover certificates, assets register and other relevant documentation, Aero Alliance will now undertake the financing, rehabilitation, expansion, operation and management of the airport, ensuring it meets and sustains internationally recognised standards of safety, efficiency and passenger experience.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State described the successful concession as a major breakthrough and opener of new economic opportunities for the South East, while Aero Alliance vowed to transform AIIA into one of Africa’s leading regional aviation, logistics and commercial hubs.

Speaking during the handover ceremony at the international terminal of AIIA on Thursday, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, extolled President Bola Tinubu’s and Governor Mbah’s roles in the realisation of the long-stalled concession plan.

“For 20 years, various governments have tried to concession some of our airports because of the belief that the private sector would run them more professionally and in a more commercially driven way,” Keyamo said.

“During the time of the previous administration when almost all the airports were advertised for concession, all the bidders avoided Enugu and Port Harcourt airports. There was not one bidder for Enugu and Port Harcourt. Everybody was rushing Lagos, Kano and Abuja because many people want food that is ready.”

“However, under the able leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and under the visionary leadership of people like Dr Peter Mbah, the reverse is the case. Guess what? We have no bidder presently for Lagos, Abuja and Kano. But Enugu and Port Harcourt are gone.”

Keyamo revealed that Governor Mbah approached the President weeks after his inauguration with a plan for the airport, and the President directed that he be given all necessary assistance to turn Enugu into an aviation and investment hub.

“Dr Mbah came with a plan for Enugu. He did not come and begin to assess the situation. He is a governor who came into office with a plan. And today, we are glad that we have found in him the perfect partnership we need between the federal and the state governments,” the Minister added.

Keyamo said Aero Alliance was expected to discharge its responsibilities with the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, operational excellence and commitment to safety. He allayed fears over job losses, noting that the terms of agreement would create new jobs rather than trigger redundancies.

Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr Jobson Ewalefor, thanked President Tinubu for making the concession happen, describing it as historic and special for Nigeria. He commended Mbah’s commitment to building infrastructure, extolling his international credibility and tenacity.

“That we are here today is because of the reputation of the governor. His reputation attracted the capital. Governor Peter Mbah is a miraculous governor. He has been coming to Abuja all the time for this. You can see when someone is prepared. You can see that he is very strategic and methodical in what he is doing,” Ewalefor said.

Governor Mbah, in his remarks, lauded the Tinubu administration for the successful concession, saying it marked the beginning of a new chapter in the journey to unlock the immense economic potential of the South East region.

“It opens a new chapter of economic possibilities because businesses across our region have for long grappled with logistics constraints that increased costs, lengthened delivery timelines and limited competitiveness,” he said.

“We hope that future generations will look back to this day as the moment when Akanu Ibiam International Airport began its transformation into a truly world-class gateway serving the South East, connecting Nigeria to the world and opening new pathways to prosperity for millions of our people.”

Mbah urged undecided investors to come and invest in Enugu State, appreciating the Aero Alliance consortium for believing in the promise and potential of the airport.

Managing Director of Aero Alliance, Saleem Hussain, assured that the consortium would put its over three decades’ experience in the aviation sector to work, focusing on connectivity, cargo and logistics, passenger experience, commercial development, and technology and operational excellence to transform AIIA into one of Africa’s leading aviation hubs.

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, represented by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr Henry Agbebire; Commissioner for Transport, Enugu State, Dr Obi Ozor; and the Regional General Manager, FAAN, Hillary Umunna, all committed to making the concession work for the socioeconomic benefits of the region and the nation as a whole.