BY CHIKA KWAMBA
What began as a modest Category-3 has today transformed into a thriving international hub, a gateway that connects cities and nations, while drawing tourists and investors from every corner of the globe.
As always, every August 27 reminds us of the miles we have covered and yet to cover, a reflective moment for all Deltans reminiscing on the contributions, achievements, growth, improvement, policy implementation, transformation and development strides at all levels.
Today, we applaud the struggles of our forward-thinking leaders towards the path of development and economic growth in various sectors and industries, including the idea of the Asaba International Airport by the then Governor, James Ibori (1999-2007); a step in the right direction.
Although history has it that no actual construction occurred during that period, the initiative overrides all. Upon introspection, we honour the vision of our past leaders, who set the pace and etched their names indelibly in the sands of time.
2007 Conception
The idea for Asaba International Airport was initiated during the tenure of Governor James Ibori (1999–2007), with a vision to build a Category C–E airport serving cargo and passenger flights due to Asaba’s strategic location linking the South East and the Niger Delta. No actual construction occurred during Ibori’s administration.
But 2007 to 2011 led to the construction, project launch and opening of the airport during Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration (2007–2015). Operations officially began on July 13, 2011, with Overland Airways conducting the inaugural commercial flights.
As usual, challenges cropped in, leading to the downgrade of the airport by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in 2015 due to inadequate facilities, runway degradation, and absence of perimeter fencing, safety concerns and limited aircraft operations. The NCAA suspended larger aircraft operations until remediation was done for better productivity and service delivery.
As power transitioned after the 2019 general election, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa took over the reins of leadership, and revitalisation came into play, breaking barriers, and vision turned to reality with projects and implementation of policies.
Under the immediate past administration, significant rehabilitation was done: Rebuilt runway, installation of an Instrument Landing System (ILS), and field lighting for 24 hour operations. By 2019, upgrades were completed, and the airport was recertified to Category 6 status by the NCAA.
Moving forward, it was necessary to step up the improvement, management, and sustainability of the state-owned Asaba International Airport into a viable and thriving economic hub. Okowa’s administration conceived the thought that led to the concessioning of the facility to a consortium.
This process attracted two major consortia, and the involvement of a transaction adviser by the state government to guide and undertake all necessary steps that would lead to a successful and sustainable concession exercise. As time rolled by, the two major consortia submitted bids backed up with sizeable bid bonds.
Okowa’s intention for the development of Asaba International Airport was to activate an aviation Tank Farm, develop a major cargo terminal, develop the logistics facilities, and develop a Business Park.
The concession was scaled through following a feasibility study showing Public Private Partnership (PPP) to be 85 per cent more cost efficient than sole government operation. Thus, the Delta State Government pursued a concession model.
On February 23, 2021, a 30-year concession was granted to FIDC/MENZES Consortium Asaba Airport Company, the first brown field airport concession in Africa, via a widely regarded master/sub concessionaire (PPP) arrangement. In mid 2021, handover ceremonies and transition occurred.
Shortly after the handing over, Infrastructure, modern features and operations began: A single 3,400m asphalt runway (11/29) with full CAT I lighting and navigation aids (ILS, VOR/DME, PAPIs), capable of handling Category E aircraft was built. Also, there was a need for the construction of a modern passenger terminal with retail, business lounges, and various amenities owing to the 2018 upgrades. Next was the Commercial Operations and Network: The airport primarily serves domestic routes, connecting major Nigerian cities, including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu, and Calabar, among others, in its early beginnings.
Operators included: Air Peace, Arik Air, Overland Airways, United Nigeria Airlines, Dana Air, and Ibom Air.
The brown field concession model set a precedent in Africa, highlighted in academic and policy studies as a benchmark for successful public-private partnership in airport infrastructure.
It was celebrated as one of Nigeria’s more successfully managed airports, rising above many state built facilities that remained underutilised or poorly maintained.
The vision of the Asaba International Airport during Okowa’s administration gained the Airport a Category 6 Airport, now a major national carrier’s hub in the South-East and South-South geo-political zones.
Under The MORE Agenda
Asaba Airport Company, as seen under the MORE Agenda, has witnessed Meaningful Development, Opportunities for all, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security.
On this premise, under the auspice of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Kingsley Emu, the Delta State government resumed reclamation of encroached government lands from land grabbers. This included the Asaba International Airport.
The reclamation initiative was geared toward securing government lands that have been illegally taken over by land grabbers across the state, and to ward off land grabbers, illegal construction that posed a threat to the security of all flyers. Today, the Asaba International Airport is widely mentioned and recognised in the aviation industry.
According to the Managing Director of the Asaba Airport Company, Christophe Pennich, the administration of Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, who he said was fully committed to restructuring the perimeter fence and building a road around the airport.
‘’The current fence has been heavily vandalised by unscrupulous people. In certain areas, it was washed away by rain and erosion or taken over by land grabbers. Once the governor was made aware of this, he sent a delegation of experts to examine the issue.
‘’Rt. Hon Oborevwori made sure the contractor was sent to the site, and work is ongoing. This is a very important project: To have a sterile area around the runway is not only a Nigerian Civil Airport Authority (NCAA) requirement but also a condition to have international flights operate to the airport.
‘’We are confident that the Delta State government will monitor the progress and they will make sure it’s concluded in the near future. Also, we have seen the massive construction of a network of roads, bridges and drainage being commissioned. The projects are laudable, and this will allow a free flow of flying passengers to access the airport seamlessly from the 25 local government areas.
‘’The construction on the Ughelli Asaba road, also the completion of the road linking Ibusa to the Benin-Asaba expressway, is a great achievement.
‘’Fortunately, these projects are being monitored, supervised and evaluated by the governor himself. His direct involvement in certain issues around the airport and the effects were fast and positive. I can say that our governor is a man of action.
‘’Now, managing the airport has been an interesting experience. As you know, we’re the first and currently only airport in Nigeria that is managed by a private company.
‘’Though it comes with its challenges. To change a way of doing business is not always popular. However, the travelling public and the owners of the airport, Delta State, have seen the benefits of the concession.
‘’We have invested massively in security, safety and passenger comfort. The airport is also open for longer hours, especially during the festive seasons, and financially, the state has benefited.
‘’This is exactly what a PPP is supposed to be. Asaba Airport Company is a perfect example of a good PPP. We have been increasing traffic to Asaba, our staff strength is composed of a vast majority of natives of the state (over 70 per cent of our staff are Deltans), and we have been promoting travel into and out of Asaba.
‘’We had a meeting at Brussels Airport recently, and they announced that the airport on its own contributes to over two per cent of the GDP of the country. In Ethiopia, the aviation sector contributes close to six per cent of the GDP. I think Asaba Airport is a strong economic pole of the state, and we are aiming at growing it in the coming years.
The MD, in his wealth of experience over the years in the aviation industry, from his student years, has shown unwavering commitment and drastic change since the concession. In Nigeria, he has worked for Qatar Airways, Aero Contractors and was the CEO of the MMA2 terminal at Lagos Airport for five years.
It is safe to say that the Oborevwori administration will transform the Asaba International Airport to international standards, competing with other airports across the globe.
