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By Tracy Moses
The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has denied claims suggesting that a secret agreement has been sealed for a long-term concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
In a statement issued on Mondaylaced with , the Ministry declared the reports as not only false but dangerously misleading.
Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, Festus Keyamo, released the statement on Monday, aiming to douse the flames of misinformation and restore public confidence.
According to Moshood, while it is true that the Federal Government is considering the concession of five key airports to private hands due to the unsustainable financial strain they currently pose, no agreement, let alone one detailing a concession period, has been finalized.
“These reports are not just inaccurate, they are entirely fabricated, they are the work of mischief-makers trying to derail a process that is being handled with the utmost integrity.” the Ministry stressed.
Moshood revealed that numerous proposals with varying concession durations have been submitted, but all are still deep in the rigorous evaluation phase. None, he emphasized, has passed through the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), a necessary step before any submission reaches the Minister’s table, and ultimately, the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
“The Honourable Minister has gone a step further to ensure transparency by insisting that Aviation Labour Unions be part of the negotiation process,” the statement revealed. “How then can anyone claim a deal has already been struck?”
The Ministry warned of vested interests lurking in the shadows, determined to sow seeds of mistrust and discord. “This disinformation is not innocent. It is a calculated attempt by those who feel threatened by the open, transparent direction the sector is heading.”
The concession process, they reminded, didn’t begin with the current administration, but under Minister Keyamo, it is being handled with renewed discipline, transparency, and a firm resolve to avoid the mistakes of the past.
“With his legal training, his integrity, and his unwavering commitment to public interest, the Honourable Minister will not preside over any shady dealings, “Not now. Not ever.” Moshood declared.
As the turbulence stirred by falsehoods continues to settle, the Ministry called on the public to stay informed and be wary of rumors. “This is a process in the national interest, and we will not allow it to be hijacked.” the statement noted.