The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Thursday approved the concession of the Port Harcourt International Airport to private investors for more efficient management and improved service delivery.
Meanwhile, the Council also approved the long-awaited contract for the provision of engineering infrastructure in Maitama 2 District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Management, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the State House, Abuja, shortly after the meeting, which was presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He, however, assured aviation workers that the concession would not result in job losses, stressing that the government remains committed to protecting workers’ rights while pursuing reforms to make the aviation sector more viable.
“We have two major airports now that we have approvals in terms of the business case to begin to finalise with private investors. One of them is the Port Harcourt International Airport. Let me assure the unions that nobody will lose his job as a result of these concessions. I am pro-union, pro-workers, and I will engage them to ensure they are comfortable with the process, Keyamo said.
The Minister noted that the move was part of government’s effort to ensure that airports operate sustainably.
He explained that many airports currently run at a loss, with revenue from Lagos, Abuja, and Kano used to subsidise others.
“Before we came in, Port Harcourt was a no-go area — no investor was interested. But today, because of the activities of this government, it has become the beautiful bride. Over six investors competed to manage the airport,” he said.
Keyamo also listed other aviation-related approvals secured from FEC, including contracts for the maintenance and support services for airport management solutions across Nigeria’s five international airports; Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu, as well as the procurement and installation of advanced tertiary power systems and navigational aids.
Additionally, the Council approved the purchase of 15 airport rescue and firefighting vehicles to meet International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards and the construction of a permanent headquarters for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) in Abuja.
Another significant approval was the exclusion of all Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) residential properties within and around airports from sale to private individuals, a move aimed at preserving operational safety and security within airport environments.
FEC also approved the concession of biometric verification systems at airports to integrate passengers’ National Identification Numbers (NIN) into boarding processes, enhance aviation security, and curb the use of fake identities.
Keyamo said the ministry also secured approvals for contracts under its 2024 budget to improve lighting systems at airports, enabling night operations and helping local airlines increase passenger capacity and revenue.
“These reforms are designed to make our airports safer, more efficient, and commercially sustainable. We are bringing them to global standards,” the minister affirmed.
Also speaking, Minister of the FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike, disclosed that the Council approved the long-awaited contract for the provision of engineering infrastructure in Maitama 2 District of the FCT.
Wike said the Maitama 2 project, which covers an estimated 786 hectares of land, had stalled for nearly five years after it was first awarded, until the current administration took decisive steps to revive it.
“This contract was awarded about five years ago but did not take off. When Mr. President came, the Federal Executive Council terminated that contract. Today, FEC has approved a fresh contract for the engineering infrastructure of Maitama 2,” the Minister stated.
He explained that Maitama 2 would serve as a new residential and commercial district in Abuja, adding that the project aligns with President Tinubu’s commitment to expanding development across the FCT.
“Many people had been allocated land in Maitama 2 before this administration, but there was no provision of infrastructure. This is a very ambitious project, and we are determined to give it all the attention it deserves to open up that district,” Wike said.
The Minister also announced FEC’s ratification of contracts for the design and construction of official residences for the heads of key courts, including the President of the Court of Appeal, the President of the National Industrial Court, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, and the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court.
According to him, the move reflects the administration’s recognition of the judiciary as a vital pillar of governance and its commitment to improving the welfare and working conditions of judicial officers.
In addition, Wike revealed that the Council approved the provision of water supply to several satellite towns, including Karu, Karshi, Orozo, and Bwari.
He recalled that President Tinubu had earlier inaugurated the Greater Abuja Water Supply Project, with a promise to extend it to surrounding communities.
“We have flagged off that project, and by the grace of God, we believe that by May next year, it will be inaugurated,” he said.
He further noted that the Council ratified the emergency rehabilitation works recently carried out at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, which was completed in time for the inauguration of the ECOWAS Parliament earlier this year.
“That project was awarded under emergency when Mr. President directed that the Conference Centre should meet international standards. To the glory of God, it has now been fully rehabilitated and inaugurated,” he said.
Wike assured residents of continued infrastructural development across the FCT under the Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing that Abuja would remain a model city for modern urban planning and governance.
