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FG Appoints Taskforce to Fast-track Aviation Sector PPPs
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
Determined to unlock the economic potentials of the aviation sector through investment in Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), the Federal Government has established task forces in the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and the Ministry of Aviation.
This was the outcome of a courtesy visit by the Director General of the ICRC, Dr Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh to the Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo SAN, in Abuja.
Ewalefoh who highlighted the importance of the aviation in galvanizing other sectors to foster the economic potential of the country, said that the Commission had set up its task force to fast-track investment in PPPs.
The Minister took advantage of the visit to also set up a similar task force in the ministry that will liaise with the ICRC team to ensure swift but efficient delivery of infrastructure projects through PPP.
Speaking during the meeting, the ICRC’s helmsman said that with the new streamlined policy direction of the ICRC, and an aviation minister who is a legal luminary, the mistakes of the early years that drove some aviation PPP projects into litigation will now be forestalled, while the pending cases will be resolved.
Ewalefoh said that the nation, like many others around the World, still faces the challenge of funding infrastructure projects, stressing that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has a focus on PPPs to boost infrastructure.
While exemplifying the huge investment possibility in the aviation sector, the DG said that between 2003 and 2019 the Heathrow Airport in the UK got an investment of 16 billion pounds in Private sector funds, Nigerian aviation sector holds a lot of investment possibilities without burdening public resources.
He cited the example of Dakar Airport that has attracted an investment of $575 million, 30% of which is from the Bin Laden Group of Saudi Arabia and Kenya where the PPP arrangement has driven passenger traffic from 7 million to 12million.
He stated that Nigeria with over 200 million people should be able to attract the right investments and become the destination hub of the World and a connecting point for Africa.
“We have what it takes, but we need to have the right infrastructure in place. That is why we are here to collaborate with you and ensure that all the projects you have conceptualized will come to fruition within the life time of this administration.
“Aviation sector is an enabler for the economic development of any nation, it is a means for you to connect all the various infrastructure together; it is a means to unlock the potential of this country
“If we get it right, Nigeria’s story will change,” he said.
The DG commended the Minister for getting the Federal Government to sign the Cape Town Convention Practice Direction after over 10 years of attempts and also resolving the problem with the UAE and having Emirate Airlines fly to Nigeria again.
“We have a lot of projects on your table and we want to implore you, if possible, set up a task force for us to do this because the infrastructure gap in Nigeria is so huge that the normal protocol cannot give us the needed time and speed. We need to work day and night and have the right commitment,” he said.
In his response, the Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo , while corroborating the DG’s position on the need to accelerate PPP projects in the industry, immediately set up a task force to liaise with the ICRC’s team to deliver PPP infrastructure in the aviation sector more speedily,
He said that the ministry has recorded a couple of milestone achievements in the area of policy in the aviation sector, adding that the ministry will focus more on accelerating all the PPP proposals that it has received.
“So we will bring them to you, we will set timelines for ourselves. For each of these projects we are going to set a timeline,” he said.
From Francis Sadhere, Delta
The Delta State Police Command has recorded a major security breakthrough with the arrest of several suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and cultists across the state, leading to the recovery of a significant cache of firearms and ammunition.According to a press release by the Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Abaniwonda Olufemi, the arrests were made through a series of coordinated intelligence-led operations carried out by various tactical units within the Command.
In a major crackdown on kidnapping, operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) arrested three suspected members of an interstate kidnapping syndicate on May 16 and 17. The suspects — Idirisu Yakubu (21), Bello Amodu (40), and Umar Mohammed Beto (38) — were apprehended in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.The gang is believed to have been responsible for kidnappings in Delta, Rivers, Enugu, and Imo states. Following their arrest, the suspects led police to a bush along the Ughelli-Ozoro Road in Delta State where officers recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with 23 rounds of live ammunition and a pump-action shotgun with seven live cartridges. Investigations into the syndicate’s operations are ongoing.In another operation, the Eagle Net Surveillance Team based in Ughelli arrested a 53-year-old suspect, Benjamin Benemor, in Warri South Local Government Area. Acting on credible intelligence, officers searched his residence and uncovered a deadly arsenal which included one English Beretta pistol with magazine, an English double-barrel pump-action gun, an English single-barrel gun, two locally made firearms, and a battle axe. Fifteen live cartridges were also seized from the scene.Further demonstrating the effectiveness of proactive policing, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) intercepted a Jetta vehicle along the Asaba-Benin Expressway on May 15. Two suspects — Blessing Ngbajime (49) and Okpako Oghenhovo (27) — were arrested, and one fabricated Beretta pistol was recovered from the latter. Investigations are currently underway.Reacting to the successful operations, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi commended the officers for their professionalism and dedication.He reiterated the Command’s commitment to eradicating criminal elements and safeguarding lives and property across Delta State.“These achievements demonstrate our readiness to confront all forms of criminality head-on. We urge citizens to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely information that can assist in maintaining peace and order,” Olufemi stated.The arrests and weapon seizures come as part of the Command’s intensified efforts to rid the state of criminal syndicates and maintain law and order.
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
The Chairman of Agatu Local government area of Benue State, Melvin Ejeh yesterday raised the alarm that criminal herders are bent on causing a crisis in his domain despite the painstaking efforts by his administration to restore permanent peace in Agatu land.The chairman, who raised the alarm in a press statement in Makurdi, lamented over the tragic attack on some innocent citizens who were returning from the market around Ogwumogbo and Okpo’okpolo communities by a group of criminal herders resulting in the loss of six lives.
According to him, ‘the report that reached me indicated that the victims who were traders returning from Oweto Market in Agatu to their various villages were ambushed by their attackers.”It is sad and highly regrettable that some criminal herders are bent on causing yet another crisis despite all efforts we are making to restore peace in the area.”This barbaric, criminal, and heinous crime is condemnable in its entirety. The perpetrators and their sponsors must not go unpunished. They must be fished out from their hideout to answer for their evil act”.Ejeh who is also the Deputy Chairman, ALGON said the police, military, DSS, and other security agencies have begun action with a view to apprehending those involved.Said he, “I wish to allay the fears of citizens in the Council and appeal that they should continue with their normal activities.”The local government will work with all the security agencies to uproot the criminals from their hideout to face the wrath of the law, no matter how highly placed. Anybody who is found to be aiding and abetting criminality in the local government area will be dealt with according to the law.”I call on every citizen to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities or movements to security agencies in the local government”.
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
A Prof. of Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Portharcourt, Prof. A.W. Obianime has said that the prospect for the future of Ijaw Nation looks good but will require a broad review of the people’s emotional and psychological state.
He said there should be a reorientation of the people, saying the need for environmental and social Justice is paramount and to enshrine corporate and environmental responsibility is an aspect they need to pursue and promote. Obianime handed down this during a Public Lecture/Dinner organized to mark the 2025 Isaac Boro Day celebration at the state Banquet Hall Government House Yenagoa, Bayelsa state capitalAccording to him, the existing lawsuit and social campaign should be used for the development of the people and the region. “We must change the erroneous narrative by people who mean us no good and present us as aliens, senseless Agitators or militants, not as educated people seeking their rights, justice and Fairness”.In a lecture titled: The Ijaw Struggle for Self Determination: Challenges, New Frontiers and Prospect, Prof. Obianime said, “Politics and the allure of monetary gains and their supposed benefits have disunited our people and therefore there is no more Ijawness in our daily operations”. Rather than ljaw, we talk along party lines (PDP VS APC).”The build-up to 2027 is more important than the jaw National and ancestral interest. Peace building, Dialogue and constructive engagement between the Ijaw nation, the federal government, oil companies, and civil society are key to lasting peace and mutual development.”The Ijaws as an ethnic nationality must take action, their cause must be given the needed global outlook. Our message must be well packaged and placed on the front burners of international human rights platforms, environmental courts, and policy institutions.”Our youths are our future and empowering them with the right information via formal and non-formal education, global exposure and leadership training will sustain the desire for a better future, keep alive the struggle and secure the dream.”We must begin to learn to accommodate and network our interests. We must purposefully go out to make new friends, establish new relationships and begin a new phase of what I consider a high-powered PR activity.”Finally, the new frontiers are not about bullets and guns, it is about brains and brawn. The Ijaws must rise above petty educational pursuits but seek education that is liberating and fair. Therefore brethren, if we must establish the concept of fairness and justice as it concerns the ljaws people, we must also preach it as a national ethos because injury to one is an injury to all” , he said.While acknowledging some challenges said, theater and the complexities/complexion of the war or survival in the Nigerian political space have changed. Saying the physical environment has changed due to environmental degradation and toxicity.In his closing remark, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei said, the younger generations should emulate what Issac Adaka Boro stood for during his lifetime.According to him, Boro’s struggle contributed to the creation of the old Rivers state and now Bayelsa state too was created. “Our politicians, youths and all stakeholders in Ijaw Nation should see the interest of Ijaw man above their personal interest “.
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