Attah Urges FG to Designate Victor Attah Airport as West Africa MRO Hub

Attah Urges FG to Designate Victor Attah Airport as West Africa MRO Hub

…Calls for seaport in Ibaka, 24-hour power supply, opposes privatization of Ibom Power

Former democratically elected Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong (Arc.) Victor Attah, has called on the Federal Government to designate the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, as a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub for West Africa to boost development and revenue generation.

Attah made the call on Wednesday 18 December during an interactive session with journalists at the quarterly meeting of the Akwa Ibom Council of Elders in Uyo.

According to him, while the Federal Government has already recognized and designated the facility as an international airport, more value would be added if it is complemented with an MRO hub.

“The Federal Government has recognized and designated Victor Attah Airport as an international airport, but to add value to that, it should be complemented with a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub established in Akwa Ibom State,” Attah said.

He noted that several millions of dollars are spent annually by airlines on aircraft maintenance abroad, stressing that establishing an MRO hub in Akwa Ibom would help Nigeria retain such funds and position the state ahead of others in the aviation sector.

“Several millions of dollars are spent every year for maintenance and repairs. We started the MRO idea and we want to remain ahead of others. We want the governor to go further and get the Federal Government to designate the Victor Attah International Airport as the maintenance hub for West Africa,” he added.

Attah also called on the government to open up the airport to more airlines, lamenting the limited flight options into Uyo.

“As we speak, you can’t easily get a flight from Lagos or Abuja to Uyo because it is only Ibom Air that is operational. People say it is because of landing charges, but I don’t know about that because I am not an aviation expert,” he said.

On power supply, the former governor decried the persistent instability of electricity in the country, urging the government to ensure uninterrupted power supply for Akwa Ibom residents.

“We don’t want a situation where you can generate electricity but can’t distribute it. Power has been very erratic, and every now and then you hear about the collapse of the national grid. This is the technology age and you can’t do without power,” Attah stated.

He stressed that with existing power infrastructure in Ikot Abasi, uninterrupted 24-hour electricity supply in Akwa Ibom is achievable.

“We want the government to see what they can do to ensure that Akwa Ibom people enjoy 24 hours uninterrupted power supply, which is possible,” he said.

Addressing the issue of the proposed seaport, Attah reiterated the long-standing demand for a functional seaport in Ibaka, noting that Akwa Ibom has the longest coastline in the country.

“Everyone has now seen the need for the seaport project. The Federal Government recently said it will establish seaports in various parts of the country. Akwa Ibom has the longest coastline, and to the East we have Cross River. There is no reason we shouldn’t have a functional and fully established seaport in Ibaka,” he said.

He added that congestion at the Lagos ports has become “choking” and underscored the need for alternative ports across the country.

Reacting to questions on an alleged plan to sell or privatize the Ibom Power Plant, the octogenarian clarified that the issue was not discussed by the Elders Forum but expressed strong personal opposition to such a move.

“The council of elders did not discuss that, but speaking in my personal capacity, Ibom Power belongs to the government, and getting it into private hands will be wrong. I don’t think it will be right, and the government must make sure it doesn’t happen,” Attah said.

He also queried why oil companies operating in Akwa Ibom fail to base their operations in the state, urging them to relocate to their areas of operation to enhance local development.

“Oil companies should operate within their areas of operation. They should relocate to their operational base in Akwa Ibom,” he added.

Copied from Citizen MKO