Proper planning will reduce unviable airports – ICRC

The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission has lamented the number of economically unviable airports built by state governors in the country, stressing that proper infrastructure planning will reduce duplication of such projects.

The ICRC Director-General, Dr Jobson Ewalefoh, said this at the 2nd Joint Public-Private Partnership Units’ Consultative Forum.

A statement from the agency on Friday said the forum, with the theme “Using PPP to actualise the renewed hope agenda in Nigeria’s infrastructure delivery,” brought together stakeholders from various sectors to discuss strategies for infrastructure development.

The PUNCH reports that there have been growing concerns over the rush by state governors to secure approvals to build airports.

Recently, six state governments, including Ekiti, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Yobe, Nasarawa, and Bayelsa, spent about N160bn on airport projects that opposition politicians and aviation professionals classified as unviable.

Apart from the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; and Port Harcourt International Airport, Port Harcourt, Rivers State; that generate about 80 per cent of revenues for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, other airports constitute a financial burden to FAAN.

To resolve the issue, the ICRC DG said proper national planning via project integration and collaboration with sub-nationals would eliminate the proliferation of unviable economic projects.

He said, “When talking about infrastructure, it must be integrated and we must speak with one voice. For instance, you have airport infrastructure projects going on in almost all the 36 states of the federation. With proper planning, that scenario can be avoided.

“I am from Edo State, there is an airport in the state and another one in Warri, Asaba, and Anambra. Driving through those states with good roads is not up to one hour. So that’s why I think we all need to put our heads together and think of a national planning approach. Though we have a document, we can sit down and decide on priority projects to know which is best for one to do.

“Edo can build one project, Delta another one, Warri a different one but with integrated planning, such things can be avoided. We need to discuss at the national and sub-national level because Nigeria is sovereign, and we are one.”

He reiterated the importance of sharing experiences and overcoming challenges to drive economic growth.

Against this backdrop, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum also canvassed for broad adoption of Public-Private Partnerships, particularly at sub-national levels to deliver critical infrastructure that can drive economic growth and improve citizens’ quality of life.

The chairman of the NGF, AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman, said PPP was vital for bridging Nigeria’s significant infrastructure gaps.

He highlighted the role of infrastructure as a cornerstone for economic development, stating that PPP offers innovative solutions for delivering essential projects efficiently.