The Federal Government’s plan to construct Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for repairs of aircraft at an unnamed place in Nigeria has drawn adverse reactions from some Nigerians.
One of the Nigerians, a former Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Chief Nduese in a press release in Uyo on Tuesday, said this calls to question the government’s attitude and intention towards development programmes.
Recall that Akwa Ibom Government under Victor Attah administration initiated and executed MRO facility at what is known as Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo.
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Though successive administrations in the state had undertaken to ensure completion of the project, it is yet to open its business door for patronage.
This was as a former Senate President, Bukola Saraki inaugurated the MRO facility at the airport on Saturday, May 27, 2023, noting that the facility was capable of maintaining two Boing 747 aircraft simultaneously by any in the sub-region in Africa.
Essien recalled ‘‘The recent announcement published in the National dailies that the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Airspace Development is concluding arrangements to commence the construction of a new Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for aircraft in Nigeria at an unnamed location, calls to question Government’s attitude and intention towards development programmes.
‘‘This is also said to be the first while the MRO project in Alwa Ibom airport has been on for over 15 years and is said to be at 95% completion level.’’
According to him, ‘‘In November 2023, the Minister of Aviation, Chief Festus Keyamo visited Akwa Ibom State and 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 poured encomiums on the successive Governments of AKWA Ibom State and the State’s effort in developing the aviation sector. He went on to promise that the federal government would partner the State in its aviation development programmes
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.’’
The ex-Minister regretted ‘‘It is therefore surprising and most inconsistent for the same Minister, a year later, to propose a new MRO under a 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 hinges 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 Obong Victor Attah International Airport at Uyo. It is doubtful if more than one MRO could be viable in the country for now.’’
He further argued that ‘‘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 appear 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.’’
