FG refutes reports of fixed 80-year concession for Enugu International Airport
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has firmly denied reports circulating online that an 80-year concession agreement has been finalised for Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
In a press release issued Monday, by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Tunde Moshood, described the reports as “utterly baseless and untrue,” clarifying that while the government is considering proposals for the concession of five major airports, including Enugu, no fixed duration has been approved or agreed upon.
“Our attention has been drawn to certain online reports suggesting that a certain lengthy period of concession has been agreed upon regarding the Enugu International Airport. These reports are baseless and untrue,” said Moshood.
The ministry explained that all submitted proposals, including various suggested durations, are still under evaluation and will be reviewed by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) before any decision is presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval.
“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,” Moshood added.
The statement also highlighted that Aviation Labour Unions have been included in the negotiation process to ensure transparency and protect workers’ interests.
“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,” the ministry asserted.
However, the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent process that serves the best interests of the nation and the aviation sector.
This clarification follows recent online discussions and reports of a purported 80-year concession deal involving the Aero Alliance Consortium, which the government has now dismissed as speculative and inaccurate.
