The laudable projects under the ‘aviation master plan’ which evolved almost a year ago, may need more funds and more attention from government for their proper execution, for them to be realisable, writes SADE WILLIAMS.
For the first time in the history of Nigeria’s aviation industry, a master plan that would see to the development of the entire sector was evolved about a year ago.
Under this master plan, four new international airport terminals are expected to be built in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu with a loan of $500million from the Chinese bank while 22 terminals would be remodelled apart from the 14 perishable cargo terminals that would also be developed.
According to observers, these are massive projects that require adequate funding and attention from the federal government if they would be realised as plan in the master plan.
They are of the view that “the funds may still not be enough” hence the need for the federal government to provide more funding through other sources so the projects will be completed quickly.
Before the exit of Stella Oduah, former aviation minister, during whose tenure the master plan was approved, some of the terminals were completely remodelled and commissioned. But about two months ago, there were rumours that others may be abandoned due to fund constraints or debt issues as travellers begin to ask if it was better not to have started it than demolish some parts and leave them halfway.
Already, work is ongoing on the new international terminal at Lagos airport as Samuel Ortom, the supervising minister of aviation, assured that the others will take off and will not be abandoned as speculated in some quarters.
He explained that the aviation master plan is being executed according to plan, adding that due to constraints of funds, the projects will be prioritised.
He said in executing the projects budgetary allocations, the airport development levy, as well as internally generated revenue from Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will be utilised.
“I am also impressed with the level of work done thus far at the new Lagos international terminal under construction. As you are aware, we are constructing same terminal in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu. They are being financed with the $500 million Chinese EXIM Bank loan and the $100 million FG counterpart funding.
“Work is going on progressively and I’m happy with the quality of work being done; and we are confident the project will be delivered within two years as agreed in the contract terms. In fact, the contractors said they may even complete the terminals before the two years that was agreed. I have to do this inspection to have firsthand information about the projects,” he said.
He added that the N174bn debts are not bad debts and are all tied down to projects. Thus, as funds become available and the projects are done, the debts, he said, will reduce. According to him, the debts are commitments made and they cannot be cleared in a week since the projects haven’t been done just yet.
“The debts and commitment are there but you can see the massive work going on in the aviation industry today. That justifies the N174bn debts. Rome wasn’t built in a day and there is no way we think we can generate this money within a week. But we intend not to embark on new projects so we can concentrate our energies and ensure we complete the projects started by my predecessor. Perhaps, the only areas we could embark on new projects would have to do with safety and security.
“Every single project that was started in the remodelling plan in the phase one, two and three will be completed. It is a matter of stepping up our revenue generation. We have massive opportunities and if we are able to close the gap, we will generate enough revenue. And with additional funding from the federal government, we will execute the projects. I want to allay the fears of Nigerians that the projects won’t be abandoned,” Ortom added.
Ortom, who agreed that some of the projects have been suspended due to paucity of funds, also said it was due to 2014 Budget delay which has now been signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan.
He is of the opinion that “once the funds are released to us, the Ministry will make them available to contractors to resume work.
“For instance, those projects that are up to 90, 80, or 70 percent completed will be done first. Though we have funding challenges, through internally generated revenue, we can achieve a lot. We will strive to generate more revenue and plough it back into the system. We also appeal to Mr. President for more funding and we are confident if there are funds he would oblige us.
Ortom, who emphasised that the government is committed to the cargo terminals which he said will unlock the agric prosperity of Nigeria and farmers, also used the opportunity to call on private investors who are willing to be part of the transformation in the aviation ministry to come in and invest in areas necessary.
He said with all these, the sector is better off today than before, adding that in the course of his visit to some of the airports in Abuja, Lagos and Makurdi, he noticed some other things that needed to be fixed in order for Nigerians to enjoy the benefits.
He concluded that in order for comprehensive jobs to be delivered, he had set up a committee that is visiting the projects and will soon come up with a comprehensive report on all the projects currently being undertaken.
“I have directed that all of those areas where visitors see first when they come into Nigeria must be renovated to be appealing. Our airports must be appealing both in comfort and aesthetics like every other international airport elsewhere. For instance, the ceilings at the departure hall of the international airport must be refixed. What I saw, I didn’t like and I have ordered that it should be replaced.
“There are also buildings that are not appealing close to the tarmac and I have ordered them to be fixed. These are areas people see first when they come into this country. I have ordered that all defaced structures within the vicinity of the airports should be face-lifted,” Ortom revealed.
