Get Guardian on Google…Assures no aviation worker will lose job
Five months after concessions the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu, the Federal Government has commenced concession programme for the Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo International Airport, Port Harcourt.
The government signed an agreement for the concession of the airport with PH Airport Limited.
A statement by the Special Adviser on Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, Tunde Moshood, said that the minister supervised the signing of the agreement, while the concessionaire was represented at the occasion by its Group Managing Director, Eyo Asuquo.
Keyamo in the statement said that the exercise was part of the government’s efforts to attract private-sector investment into airport infrastructure development, improve operational efficiency and reposition the aviation sector.
The Federal Government had in June concessioned the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, to Aero Alliance Limited under a 30-year Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
The statement hinted that the event was attended by the Director-General Civil Aviation, Chris Najomo; Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku; directors of the ministry and leaders of aviation unions.
The statement added that the minister held a closed-door meeting with aviation labour leaders before the formal signing of the agreement.
Speaking on behalf of the unions, the President of National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Ben Nnabue, said organised labour had endorsed the concession following assurances from the government that no aviation worker would lose his or her job as a result of the arrangement.
Nnabue insisted protection of workers’ employment remained a major concern for the unions, adding that they were satisfied with the assurances given before agreeing to the concession.
Also speaking, Asuquo described Port Harcourt as a strategic aviation and economic gateway within the Gulf of Guinea.
He maintained that the airport had enormous potential to stimulate regional commerce, investment and connectivity.
He assured that PH Airport Limited was committed to transforming the facility through infrastructure investment, improved operational standards and expanded airport-related economic activities.
He said: “The company’s vision goes beyond taking over the management of the airport. We intend to unlock its economic potential, create more employment opportunities and strengthen Port Harcourt’s position as a major aviation and commercial hub.
“The concession will generate additional economic activities and employment, rather than result in job losses.”
