Government Approves Port Harcourt Airport Concession to Private Operators
The Federal Government has taken a significant step by approving the concession of the Port Harcourt International Airport to private operators. This decision is aimed at improving operational efficiency and reducing financial losses associated with underperforming airports across the country.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, made this announcement to State House correspondents following a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in Abuja. He emphasized that the move would not result in job losses for aviation workers, addressing concerns raised by unions and employees.
Keyamo stated, “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.”
He noted that the previous administration had struggled to attract investors to the Port Harcourt Airport. However, renewed confidence under the current government has led to increased interest. “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 said.
Key Projects Approved by the FEC
The FEC approved all eight memos presented by the Ministry of Aviation. These include:
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Procurement of 15 new firefighting vehicles to be deployed at the country’s five international airports: Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu.
This initiative aligns with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. The ICAO regularly audits airports to ensure they meet global safety requirements, with adequate fire-fighting equipment being a key factor. -
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).
This measure ensures uninterrupted support for air navigation systems. -
Full business case approval for a biometric verification system at all Nigerian airports.
Keyamo explained that the system will link a passenger’s National Identity Number (NIN) to boarding data, enhancing national security by preventing the use of fake identities.
Additional Infrastructure Developments
The Council also approved the construction of a permanent headquarters for NAMA in Abuja, following its relocation from Lagos. Currently, the agency operates from rented facilities in the Federal Capital Territory.
Keyamo further announced that all properties owned by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria in and around airports have been officially excluded from sale 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 declared. “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 explained.
He highlighted that previous disposals, carried out by a presidential committee under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, had caused longstanding security concerns at several airports.
Enhancing Airport Operations
The FEC also approved contracts within the ministry’s 2024 budget for runway and perimeter lighting at select airports. This initiative aims to allow late-night operations, enabling airlines to fly until 10 or 11 pm. “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.