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 formalised 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 development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the minister’s media aide, Tunde Moshood.
According to the statement, the aviation unions, led by Ben Nnabue, endorsed the concession agreement after the government and the private investor assured them that no worker would be rendered jobless as a result of the arrangement.
Speaking on behalf of the unions, Nnabue said the protection of workers’ welfare and job security remained their major concerns, noting that organised labour would not endorse any agreement capable of undermining the livelihoods of its members.
He explained that the unions’ support followed extensive consultations with the government and the concessionaire to clarify the implications of the agreement for employees and the future development of the airport.
Meanwhile, Asuquo said the airport’s strategic location within the Gulf of Guinea presented significant opportunities to position it as a major centre for aviation, commerce, investment and regional connectivity.
He stressed that PH Airport Limited’s plans went beyond taking over the facility’s management, explaining that the company intended to invest in infrastructure, improve operational efficiency and stimulate 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 Port Harcourt’s geographical advantage to attract more businesses and strengthen the airport’s position as an important aviation and commercial hub in the region.
Earlier, Keyamo held a closed-door meeting with aviation union leaders to address their reservations and secure their support for the concession process before the formal signing.
The meeting was attended by the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Chris Najomo; the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Olubunmi Kuku; ministry directors and representatives of aviation labour unions.
The concession is expected to pave the way for private-sector investment in the airport’s infrastructure and operations, while the government maintains that workers’ employment rights will be protected.
