The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has urged state governors to privatise or commercialise airports that are not economically viable in their states.
This is coming amid growing concerns over the increasing number of airport constructions in the country.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, Keyamo appealed to state governments to explore the commercial potential of airport environments, stating that they would be shocked when they find out the financial benefits they have been missing out on.
At least 12 states have reportedly completed the construction of their airports, while several others are still building.
Altogether, 19 states have invested an estimated N369.4 billion in the projects thus far.
Some of the airports include Asaba Airport, Bayelsa International Airport, Yenagoa; Ogun Cargo Airport; Ekiti Cargo Airport, Ado-Ekiti; Anambra Cargo Airport, Umuleri; Wachakal Airport, Yobe; Gombe Airport; Dutse International Airport, Jigawa; Kebbi Airport; Jalingo Airport, Taraba; Nasarawa Airport; Cross Rivers International Cargo Airport and Zamfara Airport.
Keyamo maintained that airports are supposed to attract economic activities since it is the first sign of development.
“They (Governors) should commercialise or privatise those airports. You can do other business in the airport environment. The non-aeronautical part of the airport should be generating funds just to keep that airport active. They should have a concession on those areas,” Festus said.
He concluded by saying that airports are not built for profit, stressing that many Nigerian leaders have been misusing it for many years.
“Airports are not built to make profit in the first instance; they are there firstly for economic and social infrastructure. An airport is supposed to be the precursor to the development of an area. It is supposed to attract economic activities. It is the first sign of development.
If someone is considering building a five-star hotel in the area, they will likely back out if there is no airport to facilitate access. Expecting returns on such infrastructure within five or 10 years is unrealistic.
Some airports in London have existed for over a century. Across the UK and Europe, even remote locations often have small airports or landing strips to support gradual development.
So long you have a functional runway, and a terminal building, the profits and the benefits will come. It may not be today, tomorrow or five years’ time, they should be patient,” he added.
