• Says Enugu-Guangzhou direct cargo flights to commence in a few months

•Mbah: Concession opens new economic opportunities to S’East

•Aero Alliance pledges to transform AIIA into Africa’s leading aviation hub

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja and Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Enugu

The federal government yesterday officially handed over the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu, to the concessionaires, Aero Alliance Limited, under a public-private partnership arrangement.

With the execution of the handover certificates, assets register, and other relevant documentation, Aero Alliance would henceforth take full responsibility for the running of the airport. This entails financing, rehabilitation, expansion, operation, and management of the airport, ensuring that it meets and sustains internationally recognised standards of safety, efficiency, and passenger experience.

The actualisation of the concessioning of AIIA sparked a wind of optimism with Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State describing it 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 at the handover ceremony held at the international terminal of AIIA, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, highlighted the roles played by both President Bola Tinubu and Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah towards the realisation of the long-awaited 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,” he said.

However, Keyamo recalled that “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”.

According to the aviation minister, the situation has changed “under the able leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and under the visionary leadership of people like Dr. Peter Mbah”.

He noted that the reverse is now the case such that “Guess what? We have no bidder presently for Lagos, Abuja, and Kano. But Enugu and Port Harcourt are gone”.

Keyamo narrated the process leading up to the FG’s decision to concession the AIIA Enugu, highlighting how Mbah had ignited the process after he assumed office.

He said: “Dr. Mbah went straight to Mr. President a few weeks after his inauguration and said, ‘This is my plan for the airport.’ The President minuted and said that we should give him all the assistance he needs to turn Enugu into an aviation and investment hub.

“Mbah started with Enugu Air, and now he has brought in capital, brought in investors for the airport.

“So, I just want to say that Dr. Peter 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”.

On what is expected of the concessionaire, Keyamo said that “we expect Aero Alliance Limited to discharge its responsibilities with the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, operational excellence, and commitment to safety”.

He also allayed fears over possible job losses, noting that the terms of agreement reached with Aero Alliance were such that they would create new jobs rather than trigger job losses.

In his remarks, the 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 for his 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,” he said.

The ICRC DG expressed optimism on the economic prospects of AIIA, saying that the establishment of “The Enugu Air and an agreement being signed from Guangzhou to Enugu (for direct flight) are enough traffic to create viability”.

Governor Mbah, who was visibly pleased with the outcome of his partnership with the FG, lauded the Tinubu Administration for the successful concession.

He said that the concession marked the beginning of a new chapter in the journey to unlock the immense economic potential of the South East region.

“So, today is a dream come true as we herald the promise of a South East that will be more connected, more competitive, more prosperous, and more visible on the global stage,” he said.

Mbah listed the benefits of concessioning the AIIA, saying that it has opened “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.

“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”.

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

The Managing Director of Aero Alliance, Saleem Hussain, assured that the consortium would put its over three decades’ experience in the aviation sector to work in ensuring that He said that the stated goal would be realised by 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 graced the event.

In their respective remarks, they all pledged commitment to making the concession work for the socioeconomic benefits of the region and the nation as a whole.