By Dickson Omobola

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, Thursday, disclosed that concessionaires are already preparing bids for three airports across the country.

Although Keyamo did not mention the airports, he said the success recorded with the concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, has sparked interest in other airport concessions.

The Minister, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Mr Tunde Moshood, spoke at the signing off of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport for concession under a Public-Private Partnership, PPP, arrangement to Aero Alliance Limited.

In his address, the Minister described the concession as a historic breakthrough, saying plans to concession the airport had lingered for over two decades without success.

He said: “This concession plan has been on for about 20 years, but it has only become possible under the administration of President Bola Tinubu. Before now, investors focused mainly on Lagos, Abuja and Kano airports. Nobody was interested in Enugu and Port Harcourt. Today, Enugu has been successfully concessioned and Port Harcourt will also be handed over within the next few weeks.

“Governor Peter Mbah came into the office with a clear plan. Despite belonging to a different political party, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed me to give him every necessary support. He brought investors to the table, and we have found in Governor Peter Mbah the perfect partner for this project.”

On labour concerns, the Minister assured airport workers that their interests and welfare remain protected under the concession arrangement.

He said: “When we came into office, all aviation labour unions were in court challenging the concession programme. One after another, they have withdrawn their cases after understanding our intentions. I want to assure workers that they are protected. However, it will no longer be business as usual. This airport will now be privately managed with a strong focus on efficiency, accountability and service delivery. Those who perform their duties diligently have nothing to fear.”

The Minister further charged Aero Alliance Limited to justify the confidence reposed in it by the Federal Government, noting that as one of the pioneer airport concessionaires in Nigeria, its performance would set the benchmark for future concessions nationwide.

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