By Soni Daniel

In response to recent announcements that the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development intends to build a new Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility for aircraft at an undisclosed location, former Minister of Lands and Housing, Chief Nduese Essien, has called on the Federal Government to rethink its plans.

 Essien advocates for leveraging the nearly completed MRO facility at Akwa Ibom’s Obong Atta International Airport, a project that has been in progress for over 15 years and is now reportedly 95% complete.

“It is both surprising and inconsistent for the government to propose a new MRO facility under a public-private partnership arrangement while ignoring the nearly finished one in Akwa Ibom,” Chief Essien remarked.

“If the minister is thinking of an MRO project, I urge him to explore more viable options. The Akwa Ibom MRO is an obvious alternative that would promptly serve Nigeria’s needs,” he added, highlighting the advanced state of the facility in Uyo.

Recall that in November 2023, Minister of Aviation Chief Festus Keyamo visited Akwa Ibom State, touring the airport’s terminal, the MRO facility, and its expansive 3.6 km taxiway—often referred to as a second runway.

During his visit, Keyamo expressed admiration for Akwa Ibom’s aviation investments, calling the state “Nigeria’s best-kept secret.”

He commended successive state governments for their work in the sector and assured that the federal government would collaborate on Akwa Ibom’s aviation initiatives.

Reflecting on Keyamo’s comments, Chief Essien said, “It seems contradictory for the same Minister to now propose a new facility elsewhere, describing it as the first MRO in Nigeria.

The MRO in Akwa Ibom has been meticulously developed and could save the federal government considerable time and resources.”

Chief Essien also noted the challenges that the Akwa Ibom State government has faced in securing federal support for its aviation infrastructure, even as the state has repeatedly signaled its willingness to work across partisan lines.

 “Governor Umo Eno has demonstrated a commitment to cooperating with the federal government despite party differences.

“It sometimes appears that viable projects from Akwa Ibom are sidelined just when they reach a stage of significant impact,” he observed.

Given the economic constraints facing the nation, Essien urged federal officials to prioritize cost-effective and collaborative solutions.

“With the financial pressures Nigeria faces, every organ and functionary of government must work together to bring Nigeria out of the woods. Utilizing Akwa Ibom’s near-complete MRO facility would be a step toward efficient and unified governance,” he concluded.