Poor ratings spark Reps’ probe of $1bn spent on airport modernisation

Recent poor ratings of Nigerian airports, despite huge sums spent on the ‘acclaimed’ modernisation project, have sparked off plans by members of the House of Representatives to investigate the utilisation of $1 billion Chinese loan accessed by former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration for this purpose.

Three Nigerian international airports – Port Harcourt, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Abuja, and Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos, were recently adjudged among the top 10 worst airports in Africa based on overall comfort, convenience, cleanliness and customer service.

From dirty floors and bathrooms to the regular request for bribes, the survey conducted by SleepingInAirports, an internationally respected travel website, noted that travellers were unimpressed with the airports and that other complaints revolved around lack of air conditioning, general navigational chaos, limited yet expensive restaurant options, and questionably-effective security processes.

The investigation to be carried out by House Committee on Aviation chaired by Nkiruka Onyeojeocha (PDP-Abia) is the utilisation of over N400 billion appropriated fund for the expansion and modernisation of 17 domestic and five international airports over the past five years.

The resolution was passed following the adoption of the motion on the ‘Urgent need to investigate factors leading to the damnable rating of our airports’ sponsored by Garba Datti (APC-Kaduna).

In his lead debate, Datti expressed displeasure over the recent CNN World Airport survey that rated the three Nigerian airports among the 10 worst in the world, with Port Harcourt leading the pack.

He noted, “Over the last five years, over N400 billion was appropriated for the expansion, modernisation and management of our 17 domestic and five international airports.

“Aviation ministry has obtained a $1 billion Chinese loan to improve the facilities at the arrival and departure lounges, toilet facilities, conveyor belts, avio bridges, buses soft were infrastructure for passenger and general security in all our airports.

“The House is aware that the FAAN which manages the nation’s airports charges $60 per international passenger and N2,000 per domestic passenger under its internally generated revenue policies and it is estimated that it handle nearly 15 million passenger traffic annually thus making it the second busiest airport in Africa.”

The lawmaker, who expressed the need for the House intervention, lamented that “the whooping funds injected into the airport upgrade project, rather than turn to be symbols of national pride, they have become objects of condemnation.”

The House also mandated its Committee on Aviation to liaise with Federal Ministry of Aviation and other relevant agencies to determine the cause of the slow pace of work and subsequent abandonment of Port Harcourt International Airport, Omuagwa.

Boniface Emerengwa, who expressed dismay over the state of the airport, noted, “only the Departure wing has attained about 75 percent completion of work in the last five years since the renovation project commenced, leaving vital components like conveyor belts and air conditioning systems in dilapidated states.”

According to him, “the renovation works and the construction of a new international terminal have been going on for about five years now without much visible work done, a situation that is making the airport looks shambolic and not able to promote the corporate image of the country, being a gateway to international travellers.

“Also, the stall in the works has hampered air travels and business activities with its deleterious consequences of fall in income.”

While ruling on the motion, Yussuff Lasun, deputy speaker, who presided over the plenary session, mandated the Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure the implementation of the resolution.