The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, (SAN), on Monday, inaugurated Enugu Air, a state-owned commercial airline established by the Governor Peter Mbah Administration with three Embraer airplanes for a start.
Recalling Mbah’s persistence and energy in bringing Enugu Air to reality, Keyamo described him as “an incredible, performing governor”.
He noted that it would be difficult to defeat him in 2027, given the level of work he had done in just two years.
“Governor Peter Mbah was the first governor that visited me immediately I was sworn in as a Minister.
“The governor was relentless, persistent and pushing to the extent that I asked, this private sector experience you are bringing into Enugu, do you want Enugu to explode?
“It was incredible. He was not even waiting for us to come to him. Dr. Peter Mbah was coming to Abuja almost every week to press the button to make sure that a couple of things happen and this (launch of Enugu Air) is just one of them,” he said.
Keyamo commended the state’s choice of XEJet as partner and operator of Enugu Air.
He described XEJet as a highly competent and 100 per cent Nigeria-owned key player in the nation’s and Africa’s aviation industry.
“XEJet is not only supporting Enugu Air, it is running the Sierra Leonean National Airline. That is what the Renewed Hope Agenda is all about,” he stated.
No concessioning plan for AIIA
The minister dismissed the misgivings over federal government’s plan to concession the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, AIIA.
He also lauded Mbah’s strenuous effort towards to ensure the imminent completion and operationalization of the airport.
“He also came back to us and said, ‘look, I want to attract private sector investment into Enugu Airport.
“I will not wait for bureaucracy to run this airport for the good of Enugu people. The pace of development is too slow.’
“We are running the airport at a loss because we don’t have the drive of the private sector.
Regional operations from Enugu
Keyamo said Enugu will be a bigger international hub henceforth. “We are going to approve regional operations from here to African States. Bring your letter tomorrow we will approve it,” Keyamo promised.
“Dr. Peter Mbah, you are a PDP, but we are afraid of you. The way you are going, we don’t know what will happen.
“We don’t know how to draw a scheme to defeat you, but we will be planning. It is an incredible vision you have here.
“Mr. President has said it himself. I am only reflecting what the president said. You have a progressive spirit and you have done well for Enugu State.”
The Aviation Minister urged the governor and the CEO of Enugu Air to run the airline professionally like a business
“More importantly, Enugu people must patronize their own aircraft,” Keyamo said.
Vision triumphs
In an address, Governor Mbah described the launch of Enugu Air as “a triumph of vision, a testament to Nigeria’s immense aviation potential and economic renaissance.”
He explained that Enugu Air would expand beyond the present routes to various other Nigerian cities and beyond.
“We are starting off with three Embraer aircraft – efficient elegant birds made for our terrain.
“Our routes begin with a powerful golden triangle: Enugu to Abuja to Lagos.
“From there, we stretch our wings to Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, Kano, and across various other cities. But we are not stopping there.
“In the next phase, we will fly beyond Nigeria, into other African countries, China, Europe, UK, US, and other global business hubs,” Mbah assured.
According to the Governor, Enugu Air is part of strategies for job creation and career paths for the young people among other benefits.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu, Keyamo, and various agencies under the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Fidelity Bank, among others, for their great support towards the realisation of the state carrier.
Earlier, Enugu State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Obi Ozor, assured that Enugu Air would live up to its dream.
The Managing Director of Fidelity Bank PLC, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, and the CEO of XEJet, Engr. Ayuba Emmanuel, described Mbah as a visionary and courageous leader
They assured the government of their continued partnership to actualize his dreams for the state.
The event graced by many dignitaries, including the Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu, witnessed a large turnout of Enugu people.
Kudos to Enough state