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A former Minister of Lands and Housing, Nduese Essien has condemned the move by Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo to construct a new Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for aircraft in Nigeria, at an unnamed location.
Essien shared his reservation while speaking to journalists in Uyo.
He questioned the Federal Government’s sincerity in developing programmes.
The erstwhile minister argued that it would be better to focus on the MRO project in Akwa Ibom airport instead of considering a fresh project.
He noted that the project in Akwa Ibom has been abandoned for 20 years and is already at 95% completion level.
According to him, “This proposed new MRO is also announced as the first in the country, while the MRO project in Akwa Ibom airport has been on for over 20 years and is said to be at 95% completion level.”
The former Minister recalled, “In November 2023, the Minister of Aviation, Chief Festus Keyamo,SAN, visited Akwa Ibom State.
“After being conducted round the terminal building, the MRO and the 3.6km taxiway (also called the second runway) he was quoted to have said that ‘Akwa Ibom State is Nigeria’s best kept secret.’
“He lauded successive administrations in Akwa Ibom State and their efforts in developing the aviation sector.
“This “best kept secret “ borrowing the phrase of Festus Keyamo, is even more pronounced in the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility of the airport.
“It is therefore surprising and most inconsistent for the same Minister, a year later, to propose a new MRO under PPP arrangement. This, he says, will be the first in Nigeria.
“If the Minister is thinking of an MRO project, I advise that he explores more viable options and hinge on alternatives that would promptly deliver expected outcomes, with ease, to the benefit of the country
“The obvious alternative would be for the Federal government to embrace the MRO project in Akwa Ibom State; direct the Private Partner to utilize the nearly completed facilities at Victor Attah International Airport at Uyo. It is doubtful if more than one MRO could be viable in the country for now.
“It is even more worrisome that this is happening despite the State Governor’s glaring show of support and willingness to cooperate with the Federal Government; a governor despite being in an opposition party, has brought down partisan walls for seamless partnership with all layers of government for the nation’s economic growth.
“It does appears that once any viable investment initiative springs up in Akwa Ibom, efforts are generated to either diminish its potentials or thwart its fruition.
“In these days of extreme hardship and anxiety to get Nigeria working again, every organ of government and functionaries in government should work together to bring Nigeria out of the woods.”
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