Good as the idea may sound, we do not consider it expedient as the country presently has enough airports, many of which are underutilized and unviable, that could be developed to serve the purposes the Aviation Minister mentioned.
The disclosure last week by the Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, that the Federal Government would soon start the construction of new airports in Kogi, Nasarawa, Ogun, Bayelsa and kebbi states,raises concern whether it is not a misplaced priority. Speaking while receiving the Governor of Kogi State, captain Idris Wada in his office, Mr. Chidoka stated that the new airports were in pursuance of the government’s initiative to link states together, and establish cargo terminals across the nation. The cargo terminals, he explained, would facilitate the exportation of agricultural produce.
Good as the idea may sound, we do not consider it expedient as the country presently has enough airports, many of which are underutilized and unviable, that could be developed to serve the purposes the Aviation Minister mentioned.No doubt the aviation sector in Nigeria has grown appreciably in recent years; from seven million passengers moved in 2003 to 12.5 million passengers lifted in 2009. Despite this, its contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is quite minimal compared to road transportation, which contributed 90 percent to sectoral GDP, according to a Federal Bureau of Statistics Report. Obviously, much more persons and goods are presently moved by road, and much more would be transported by rail if adequately developed.
Why spend billions of Naira in the season of looming dwindling national revenue to build new airports in Kogi and Nasarawa States when the existing airports at Ilorin, Minna, Abuja, Jos and Makurdi could serve the needs of both states which are within a few hours driving distance? Similarly, the proposed airport for Ogun could be served by the airports in Akure, Ibadan and Lagos. What is the urgency of building an airport in Bayelsa whereas the ones in Port Harcourt, Owerri and Enugu are within proximity?
Perhaps, the needful thing to do should be the conversion of the colossal sums of money earmarked for the new airport projects to improving the inadequate facilities at the existing airports and developing the deteriorating 32,500 kilometers of federal roads and 30,500 kilometers of state roads linking the 36 states and Abuja, as well as the 744 local government areas in the country. It is estimated that the nation loses about N450 billion annually to poor road network.
Furthermore, the need for government to link all the states of the country by rail within the shortest possible time to facilitate the free, cheaper and safer movement of persons and goods cannot be overemphasized. Sadly, rail transport contributes a paltry half percent to the GDP of the transport sector.In the same vein, why can’t the country, blessed with a very long coastline and water resources maximize the benefits of water transportation?Presently, water transportation contributes just 1.6 percent of GDP whereas it has so much potential.
As we approach the election year, the temptation is strong for politicians to make mammoth promises to garner the people’s support at the expense of sound economic reasoning. But national interest must be paramount. We therefore caution the Federal Government to re-examine its policy on developing the new airports, give priority attention to adequately fixing the existing airports, and fast-track the development of road, rail and water transportation in the country. We cannot afford more white elephant projects when the nation requires prudent and strategic utilization of scarce resources for optimum benefits.
