The Federal Government has signed a concession agreement for the Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo International Airport, Port Harcourt, with PH Airport Limited, assuring aviation workers that the arrangement will not result in job losses.
The agreement was signed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and the Group Managing Director of PH Airport Limited, Eyo Asuquo, following consultations with aviation labour unions.
The minister’s media aide, Tunde Moshood, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, noting that the unions, led by Ben Nnabue, endorsed the agreement after receiving assurances from the government and the concessionaire on the protection of workers’ jobs.
Speaking on behalf of the unions, Nnabue said workers’ welfare and job security were critical considerations in their decision to support the concession, stressing that organised labour would not endorse any arrangement capable of threatening the livelihoods of its members.
He said the unions were satisfied with the assurances given after extensive engagements with the government and the concessionaire on the implications of the agreement for workers and the future management of the airport.
In his remarks, Asuquo said Port Harcourt’s strategic location within the Gulf of Guinea presented enormous opportunities to transform the airport into a major gateway for regional commerce, investment and connectivity.
He said the concessionaire’s vision extended beyond taking over the management of the facility to investing in infrastructure, improving operational standards and expanding economic activities around the airport.
“Our vision goes beyond taking over the management of the airport. We are committed to driving development, expanding opportunities and creating additional jobs through investments and the growth of airport-related activities,” he said.
Asuquo added that the company intended to harness the airport’s strategic location to attract greater economic activities and strengthen Port Harcourt’s position as an important aviation and commercial hub.
Keyamo, who presided over the signing ceremony, had earlier held a closed-door meeting with aviation union leaders to address their concerns and secure their understanding of the concession process.
The meeting was attended by the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Chris Najomo; Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Olubunmi Kuku; directors of the ministry and representatives of the aviation labour unions.
