Keyamo Slammed By Ex-Minister For Pushing New MRO Project, Ignoring Akwa Ibom’s Near-Completed Facility

Keyamo Slammed By Ex-Minister For Pushing New MRO Project, Ignoring Akwa Ibom’s Near-Completed Facility

Former Minister of Lands and Housing, Nduese Essien, has criticized the decision of Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to build a new Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility for aircraft in Nigeria, at an undisclosed...CONTINUE READING…

location. Essien expressed his concerns while speaking to reporters in Uyo.

The ex-minister questioned the Federal Government’s commitment to its development programs, emphasizing that it would be more practical to focus on completing the MRO project at Akwa Ibom Airport, which has been stalled for 20 years and is 95% finished.

Essien pointed out that Keyamo had previously praised Akwa Ibom’s efforts in aviation development during his visit to the state in November 2023. Keyamo had described Akwa Ibom as “Nigeria’s best kept secret” and commended its success in the aviation sector, particularly the nearly completed MRO facility at Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo.

It was, therefore, surprising and inconsistent for Keyamo to propose a new MRO under a public-private partnership, claiming it would be the first in Nigeria, while the one in Akwa Ibom remains underutilized.

Essien urged Keyamo to reconsider and utilize the existing MRO facility in Akwa Ibom, suggesting it would be more efficient and beneficial to the country. He expressed concern that Akwa Ibom’s investment initiatives are being undermined and called for greater cooperation between all levels of government to enhance the nation’s economic growth, especially during times of hardship.