Nigeria’s top council has given the go-ahead for private firms to run Port Harcourt International Airport, aiming to sharpen operations and trim waste from poorly run terminals nationwide.
The aviation chief shared the news after a key meeting in Abuja on Thursday. He calmed fears among airport staff, vowing no one would lose work and pledging talks with worker groups. “We will sit down with them. Jobs stay safe. I say this loud to cut through false rumours spread to stir up trouble,” he noted. He added that he backs workers fully and won’t let outside nudges sway public choices.
In the past, leaders found it hard to lure bidders for the airport, seen as a risky bet. Now, fresh trust has drawn over six keen players, leading to a solid plan for handover.
The council also nodded to eight ideas from the aviation team. These cover buying 15 new fire engines for big hubs in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu, to match global safety rules. Another sets up spare power lines at every airport and 14 air traffic posts run by the space agency, keeping flight guides running smooth.
A standout win is a full-body check system at all airports, tying national ID numbers to passenger lists for better safety. It spots fake names and ensures flyers are who they claim, meeting world standards. “Far too many unknowns slip onto planes with bogus details. That’s a risk we can’t take. This links your ID to your ticket and checks it’s really you,” the minister explained.
More nods include building a fixed base for the air space group in Abuja, after shifting from Lagos and renting space there. The council also barred sales of airport land and buildings owned by the airports body to outsiders, fixing old security gaps from past deals. “This is notice to anyone who thinks they own airport plots: we won’t hand them over. These spots need guarding for quick-response teams like firefighters and guards,” he warned.
Finally, deals within this year’s funds will add lights to runways and edges at certain airports, letting flights run till 10 or 11 at night. That lifts limits now, where some spots shut by 6 pm, and should bring in more cash.
