Former Lands and Housing Minister, Chief Nduese Essien yesterday advised the federal government to use the existing Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility instead of building a new one.
He spoke following 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 MRO facility for aircraft in Nigeria at an unnamed location.
According to the former minister, the fresh announcement calls to question the government’s attitude and intention towards development programmes.
This is also said to be the first while the MRO project in Akwa Ibom airport has been on for over 15 years and is said to be at 95% completion level.
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He recalled that 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 “.
The former minister stated in a statement that the “best kept secret,“ borrowing the phrase of Festus Keyamo, is even more pronounced in the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility of the airport.
“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,” he stated.
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