Ex-Commissioner Asks FG To Allow States To Run Airports

Immediate past commissioner for Aviation and ex-chairman, Finance and Appropriation Committee in the Cross River State House of Assembly (CRHA), Prof. Jacob Otu-Enyia, has called for an amendment to Nigeria’s constitution.

This amendment would allow state governments to conduct businesses at airports in their states, citing the concurrent list dealing with aviation matters.

He made the call in Calabar while answering questions from LEADERSHIP yesterday.
The former commissioner stated that allowing state governments to do airport business could enhance their revenue base.

Using Margaret Ekpo International Airport Calabar as a case study,Otu-Enyia said despite its location in Calabar, the Cross state government lacked the authority to collect revenue or regulate businesses at the facility.

He said the limitation faced by state governments is that the constitution doesn’t permit state governments to regulate businesses or collect revenue or do legitimate business at Margaret Ekpo International Airport.

“Our cry to federal government now is that he should tinker with that provision in the constitution to allow state governments to do business in aviation.

“We are not allowed by the constitution. However, if there is any security challenge because the infrastructure is located in Cross River, the state governor has a responsibility to address the security challenge.

“Outside that, we have no authority to collect revenue or regulate business activities at the airport. Today almost all the states are thinking towards that direction. They only lean on the federal laws as it were.

“The Margaret Ekpo International Airport Calabar, is a federal government infrastructure, by the provision of the law, and the Constitution, Cross River State legislature, State House of Assembly cannot make law in respect of regulating the conduct of businesses at the Airport.

” But however if there is any security challenge, because of the fact the infrastructure is located in Cross River, the governor has a responsibility to address the security challenge.

“Outside, that we don’t have any authority to collect revenue or regulate business at the airport. “. The former State law maker maintained.