The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has heralded a new era for Nigerian aviation, granting sweeping approvals for the concession of Port Harcourt International Airport and the immediate introduction of advanced biometric verification systems across the nation’s air terminals.
The pivotal decisions were disclosed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, following a key FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The Council considered and sanctioned eight critical memoranda from the Ministry, spanning safety, infrastructure, and modern management initiatives.
Central to the approvals is the decision to concession the Port Harcourt International Airport, a move signalling the Federal Government’s intent to attract private investment for vital infrastructure upgrade and management efficiency.
In tandem with this, the FEC approved contracts for the provision of essential maintenance and support services for the sophisticated airport management solutions currently operational at Nigeria’s five principal international airports: Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu.
“These are firms that have been maintaining our airport management systems effectively over the years, and the Council approved their continued engagement,” Mr. Keyamo stated, affirming the continuity of expert service provision across key transport hubs.
Focusing sharply on navigational safety, the FEC gave the go-ahead for the procurement and installation of advanced tertiary power systems and 14 VHF remote stations by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). These modern systems are essential components for bolstering air traffic control reliability across the country’s airspace.
Furthermore, a significant investment was sanctioned for safety equipment: the purchase of 15 state-of-the-art airport rescue and firefighting vehicles.
“We also got approval to purchase 15 airport rescue and firefighting vehicles to meet International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards at our international airports,” the Minister declared, underscoring the commitment to meeting stringent global safety benchmarks.
In a firm stance on security and operational integrity, Mr. Keyamo announced a decisive policy approval that excludes all Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) residential and operational properties within and around airport premises from sale to private individuals.
This measure effectively ring-fences crucial operational space, ensuring it is not compromised by civilian encroachment.
“Properties within airport security and safety zones are now officially excluded from disposal. Those who claimed to have bought such properties should take note, we will not concede them,” the Minister concluded, issuing a clear warning to any individuals who may have acquired properties deemed vital to national aviation security.
