The federal government has described as unfounded reports suggesting that it has agreed to a certain lengthy period of concession for the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

The government, however, justified the ongoing concession process for five international airports, saying the airports were running at a loss.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, issued the clarification in response to reports that the government has agreed to an 80-year concession for Enugu.

In a statement by his spokesman, Tunde Moshood, the minister explained that while the government is in the process of concessioning five airports which predate the current administration, it has not agreed on any time frame for any of the airports.

Therefore, he emphasised that the stories making the rounds “are utterly baseless and untrue.”

Daily Trust reports that the airport concession process has become a thorny issue from the last administration.

Keyamo had earlier, on assumption of office, said airport concession and other programmes of the immediate past administration, like the national carrier project, have been suspended.

However, the government has revived the airport concession projects with five airports – Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; Malam Aminu Kano Airport and the Port Harcourt Airport, Rivers State – being considered for concession.

In a statement yesterday, the minister explained that the proposals are still being evaluated, adding that government has not agreed to any lengthy period of concession.

The statement said, “Whilst it is true that the federal government is considering proposals for the concession of five major airports, this is a proactive measure to ensure these vital facilities can meet and maintain international standards, given the increasing financial demands of their operations.

“Many of our airports are presently running at a loss, so they have to be subsidised each month by the federal government. It is noteworthy that this initiative to concession started from previous administrations.

At this stage, prospective concessionaires have indeed submitted various proposals, including different durations for the concession. It is important to emphasise that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has not established any fixed duration.

“All submitted proposals are currently undergoing thorough evaluation that will eventually be reviewed by the ICRC before it is presented to the minister for conveyance to FEC for approval. We can confirm that this review process has not been concluded.”

The statement also explained that for the sake of transparency, the minister had directed, some months ago, that the Aviation Labour Unions be included as part of the negotiating teams.

“Therefore, we must state unequivocally that the information suggesting a predetermined concession duration is false, unfounded, and intended to cause unwarranted disaffection and mistrust in this process by those with entrenched interests.

“Please be assured that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development is committed to a transparent process that adheres strictly to due process.

“With his training and track record, the minister will not allow anything untoward to happen under his watch. He has so far run the ministry in a transparent manner and will not fall into the same mistake of the past. We will ensure that all decisions are made in the best interest of the nation and the aviation sector,” the statement said. (Daily Trust)