Reps order probe of Jonathan’s N400bn airport contracts

Determined to get to the root of the ranking of three Nigerian airports as among the worst in the world, the House of Representatives, Wednesday, mandated its committee on aviation to investigate the alleged embarrassing report by the CNN that rated the airports as among the 10 worst airports in the world.

The House, at plenary, also directed its aviation committee to investigate how the sum of N400 billion appropriated for airport remodelling was spent and what was the result there from.

The committee has two weeks to report back to the House.

The House passed the the resolution following a motion of matters of urgent importance entitled “urgent need to investigate the factors that led to the damnable rating of our airports” sponsored by Rep Garba Datti.

Read also: Airport ranking: FAAN debunks dirtiest, most corrupt tag

According to Datti, it was highly embarrassing to know that Nigeria has some of the worst airports to travel in – in the world according the CNN global survey.

He further said it was uncharitable given the huge amount of money spent on remodelling including a $1billion Chinese loan for such purpose.

Datti said: “We are aware that over 400billion naira was appropriated by this House for the remodelling of airports to international standard.
“But its surprising to hear that despite the huge investment made to remodel these airports, we still have some of the worst airports in the world according to the survey.

“Notable among these death-traps of airports are the Enugu International Airport; Port Harcourt. Airport, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja the nation’s Capital.

“Another eye sore in the list of the worst airport is our own Murtala Mohammed international Airport which is the gateway to the commercial hub of this country.

“Over the last five years, over N400billion was appropriated for the expansion, modernization and management of our 17 domestic and 5 international airports.

“With the whopping funds injected into the airport upgrade project, rather than turn out to be symbols of national pride, they have become objects of condemnation.”

In his contribution, Nnanna Igbokwe, representing Ahiazu Mbaise/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency of Imo State, said, “if our key airports are being downgraded by international observers and technical team, then it should be a thing of concern for this parliament.

“We must go into finding out why monies would be spent and there are no results to show for our investment.

“Just a few days ago, two air crafts almost had a collision. A cargo plane was landing and another plane was taxing for take off and they almost collided.

“Now if the communication equipment and landing facilities at that airport were good, such communication gap wouldn’t have existed between control tower and pilots.”
Timothy Enietan-Matthews

RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now