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Federal govt’s takeover of Lafia airport raises concerns over wastage

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The recent takeover of the Lafia Cargo Airport by the federal government has sparked a new wave of concerns regarding the growing issue of waste in the country’s infrastructure development projects.

According to Diaspora digital media (DDM) reports the multi-billion-naira facility, which was meant to boost economic activity, sits idle, rotting away due to neglect following the federal government’s formal assumption of control.

The situation is ironic given the country’s current financial predicament.

With serious revenue challenges and high debt servicing costs, Nigeria faces a projected budget deficit of N13.39 trillion for 2025.

Alarmingly, nearly 69 percent of the national budget will be financed through debt, while loans and asset sales will account for 28 percent and 2 percent, respectively.

Despite these dire circumstances, the government continues to overlook the significant wastage tied to the Lafia Airport, a problem that is pervasive across many state-run airports.

The Lafia Cargo Airport, inaugurated by former President Muhammadu Buhari in February 2022, has yet to commence operations, leaving the local residents disappointed and frustrated.

With its vast resources dedicated to the construction of the airport, the state of affairs now raises the question: why did the government build an airport in Lafia, and what purpose will it serve?

While Nasarawa State has ample agricultural land and numerous mineral resources, these do not seem to be enough to generate the necessary traffic for an airport.

The state’s mineral resources are being mined illegally, and farming has not been prioritized due to insecurity and challenges with herdsmen.

Given these limitations, the demand for air cargo is simply not present, making the Lafia Airport an unviable project at this time.

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The federal government’s decision to take over the Lafia Airport is seen as a failed venture by many.

The money spent on constructing the airport could have been more effectively used in other critical sectors, such as health, education, or infrastructure development.

As it stands, the federal government’s move to take control of the airport seems to be more about political maneuvering than economic sense.

In 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received approval from the National Assembly to refund the Nasarawa State Government N9 billion spent on the airport’s construction.

However, investigations show that the state has not yet received the refund, raising questions about transparency and the effective management of public funds.

Despite these issues, there is still some hope that the federal government will make use of the Lafia Airport and justify the large sums already spent on its construction.

However, many are skeptical, given the ongoing revenue challenges faced by the government.

The country’s financial constraints make it difficult to prioritize the operation of airports that may not generate sufficient returns on investment.

There are broader concerns about the rationale behind building airports in certain states, especially when the existing ones are underutilized.

Nasarawa, along with other states in Nigeria, has poured significant resources into building airports that are economically unfeasible.

Over N150 billion has been spent by various state governments on airports that have no clear demand or economic rationale.

A glaring example of wasteful spending can be found in Ebonyi State, where Governor David Umahi’s administration built the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, a project that appears equally unviable.

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Much like Lafia, the airport is unlikely to generate enough traffic to justify its high cost, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of such investments.

The appalling statistics surrounding airport viability in Nigeria highlight the need for a more pragmatic approach.

Out of the 22 airports in the country, only three—Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja, and Port Harcourt International Airport—contribute meaningfully to the nation’s export and import revenues.

Between January 2020 and March 2024, these airports generated N529.68 billion in exports and N5.05 trillion in imports.

Meanwhile, the remaining 19 airports are heavily subsidized due to insufficient passenger traffic and rising operational costs.

In light of this, it is difficult to understand why state governments continue to pursue the construction of new airports when existing ones are already struggling.

The question remains: why do governors continue to pursue such costly ventures under the guise of infrastructure development, knowing full well that the vast majority of these projects lack the economic justification to succeed?

One possible explanation for this phenomenon is the federal government’s practice of taking over airports built by states, which may incentivize more state governments to pursue similar projects without thoroughly assessing their viability.

The political motives behind these projects, which often prioritize the ambitions of local leaders over economic considerations, only exacerbate the problem.

The unfortunate reality is that these airport projects are often driven by political considerations rather than economic necessity.

Governors, eager to boost their political profiles, embark on high-cost ventures that fail to serve the needs of the people.

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In doing so, they sacrifice essential projects—such as those related to healthcare, education, and social welfare—that would have a more meaningful and lasting impact on the population.

Moreover, corruption often accompanies the planning and execution of such projects, further draining valuable resources.

This highlights the urgent need for lawmakers to pass legislation that ensures stricter criteria for the construction of non-essential infrastructure projects, like airports.

A comprehensive feasibility study, demonstrating clear economic benefits and long-term viability, should be a prerequisite for any state-sponsored airport initiative.

In conclusion, while the federal government’s takeover of the Lafia Airport may seem like a step toward utilizing an underused resource, the larger question remains: should state governments even be building airports in the first place?

The answer to this question could lie in passing laws that prioritize economic feasibility and ensure that state-run airports do not become yet another example of wasteful government spending.

Only by aligning infrastructure development with real economic needs can Nigeria avoid repeating the same costly mistakes.

 

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