Ndigbo Angry With Tinubu Over Privatization of Enugu Airport Alone - Leaders of Thought Kicks

The Igbo Leaders of Thought, ILT, has rejected the Federal Government’s handover of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, to a private firm, accusing the Tinubu administration of singling out the South East for privatization.

In a statement on Monday, the group of Igbo intellectuals, traditional rulers and stakeholders described the concession as “another grave act of injustice against Ndigbo” and “further escalation of the prolonged marginalisation of the South-East region.”

“We will not allow this injustice to Ndigbo by the Tinubu Government to stand,” the ILT said, vowing to use “every lawful means possible” to challenge the deal.

*Only Enugu slated*: The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, last Thursday handed over the Enugu airport to Aero Alliance Limited under a 30-year Public-Private Partnership. The concession, facilitated by Enugu State Governor Peter Mba, covers financing, rehabilitation, expansion, operation and management.

ILT noted that Enugu is the only one of Nigeria’s six international airports now slated for private management. The other five remain under Federal Government funding and control. 

“As of today, there is currently no active private concessionaire operating any of the other five international airports in Nigeria, namely, Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Port Harcourt International Airport and Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo. Why should the case of Enugu International Airport, the only international airport in the South East be different?” the statement asked.

*Funding concerns*: The group warned that withdrawal of Federal Government funding would compromise the airport’s safety infrastructure, operational efficiency and passenger experience.

“Based on our findings, none of the six international airports in Nigeria is profitable. What it means is that they are all relying on government funding to operate. If the federal government stops funding Enugu International Airport, even if for one day, the facilities will go down,” ILT said.

*Double standards alleged*: ILT pointed to the Federal Government’s recent decision to cancel the concession bidding for the international terminal of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, opting instead for a N712 billion structural rebuild through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund.

“Festus Keyamo claimed during the handover ceremony that there are bidders for the other five international airports. Why did he not wait for the bidding processes to be concluded, so that all the six international airports would be handed over to concessionaires the same time? Why the haste in handing over Enugu International Airport?” the group queried.

*Historical investment cited*: The statement recalled that the airport, established in the 1950s by the Old Eastern Region government, was upgraded to international status in 2007. It cost the Federal Government N14 billion under the Yar’Adua and Jonathan administrations to upgrade it, and was opened to international flights in 2013.

In October 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari approved a N10 billion special intervention fund for runway rehabilitation, airfield lighting and perimeter fencing. The upgrade was inaugurated in August 2020.

“When President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, he described his government as a continuation of Buhari government. Unfortunately, Tinubu changed his policy in the case of Enugu International Airport, by handing it over to a private company, rather than approve more intervention funds for the airport, like he did for the Lagos International Airport,” ILT said.

*Unions raised flags*: The group added that aviation unions had expressed reservations about the “opaque nature” of the concession, including possible ties between the concessionaire and state officials.

“The handover of Enugu Airport is injustice to the South East. The government should fund Enugu airport like other international airports in the country,” the statement concluded.

The Federal Government had yet to respond to the ILT’s allegations as of press time.