Delta Govt Clarifies Airport Concession

— Says Concession Of Airport For 30Years Is Part of
Upgrade
— Says No State Has Financial Capacity To Sustain Airport

Delta State Government on Thursday said Asaba International
Airport was not sold but only concessioned for 30 years to make for
its adequate upgrade into a world-class airport, by the
concessionaire.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, made this
known while briefing journalists on the outcome of the meeting of
the State’s Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor
Ifeanyi Okowa in Asaba.

Aniagwu said that under the concession agreement, the
concessionaire would inject about N30 billion into the upgrade of
facilities at the airport.

According to him, the concession became necessary as the daily
operation of the airport would be effectively managed by private
investors.

He disclosed that the process leading to the concession was
transparently and objectively done in the overall interest of the
state as it would impact positively its economy.

The commissioner said the consortium that would manage the
airport had the needed experience and expertise to effectively run
the airport.

He also stated that the council approved the construction and
rehabilitation of some roads across that state.

Some of the roads are Akeye Street and Ovedje Close both in
Okumagba Layout, Warri South Local Government Area;
Ajaji/Ofili/Nwaomu Road in Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government
Area as well as the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of Obi Ugbe
Road in Asaba.

Aniagwu pointed out that the need for heads of agencies,
commissioners, and directors in the state to strictly enforce the
COVID-19 protocols was emphasised at the council meeting, adding
that the state government would be very strict in enforcing the
protocols.

Giving more insight into the concession of the Asaba airport,
Senior Policy Adviser to the Governor, Prof. Sylvester Monye, said
that the decision, which took five years to achieve, was to turn
Asaba into a commercial hub.

Monye said that under the concession agreement, the state
government would get N43 billion as royalty, in addition to about
N80 billion the government would also earn from the exercise as
revenue.

He disclosed that the loss hitherto being incurred by the state
government in running the airport had now translated into an asset
through the concession.

While saying that no state in the country had the financial
capacity to run an airport, the governor’s aide stated that the
concessionaire “has all it takes to effectively and efficiently run
an airport to international standard’’.

On the bills for the upgrade of three tertiary institutions in
the state to universities, the Commissioner for Higher Education,
Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, said the signing of the bills by Governor
Okowa was a boost to the take-off of the institutions.

According to Muoboghare, with that, Delta State now has four
universities, two colleges of education, two polytechnics and a
school of marine technology.

He explained that the schools were meant to create space for
Deltans to acquire tertiary education.

He disclosed that the funding of the schools was captured in the
2021 Budget of the state, adding that the schools had the capacity
to take off as universities.

— Says Concession Of Airport For 30Years Is Part of
Upgrade
— Says No State Has Financial Capacity To Sustain Airport

Delta State Government on Thursday said Asaba International
Airport was not sold but only concessioned for 30 years to make for
its adequate upgrade into a world-class airport, by the
concessionaire.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, made this
known while briefing journalists on the outcome of the meeting of
the State’s Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor
Ifeanyi Okowa in Asaba.

Aniagwu said that under the concession agreement, the
concessionaire would inject about N30 billion into the upgrade of
facilities at the airport.

According to him, the concession became necessary as the daily
operation of the airport would be effectively managed by private
investors.

He disclosed that the process leading to the concession was
transparently and objectively done in the overall interest of the
state as it would impact positively its economy.

The commissioner said the consortium that would manage the
airport had the needed experience and expertise to effectively run
the airport.

He also stated that the council approved the construction and
rehabilitation of some roads across that state.

Some of the roads are Akeye Street and Ovedje Close both in
Okumagba Layout, Warri South Local Government Area;
Ajaji/Ofili/Nwaomu Road in Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government
Area as well as the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of Obi Ugbe
Road in Asaba.

Aniagwu pointed out that the need for heads of agencies,
commissioners, and directors in the state to strictly enforce the
COVID-19 protocols was emphasised at the council meeting, adding
that the state government would be very strict in enforcing the
protocols.

Giving more insight into the concession of the Asaba airport,
Senior Policy Adviser to the Governor, Prof. Sylvester Monye, said
that the decision, which took five years to achieve, was to turn
Asaba into a commercial hub.

Monye said that under the concession agreement, the state
government would get N43 billion as royalty, in addition to about
N80 billion the government would also earn from the exercise as
revenue.

He disclosed that the loss hitherto being incurred by the state
government in running the airport had now translated into an asset
through the concession.

While saying that no state in the country had the financial
capacity to run an airport, the governor’s aide stated that the
concessionaire “has all it takes to effectively and efficiently run
an airport to international standard’’.

On the bills for the upgrade of three tertiary institutions in
the state to universities, the Commissioner for Higher Education,
Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, said the signing of the bills by Governor
Okowa was a boost to the take-off of the institutions.

According to Muoboghare, with that, Delta State now has four
universities, two colleges of education, two polytechnics and a
school of marine technology.

He explained that the schools were meant to create space for
Deltans to acquire tertiary education.

He disclosed that the funding of the schools was captured in the
2021 Budget of the state, adding that the schools had the capacity
to take off as universities.