Akwa Ibom Govt denies alleged airline monopoly

The Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed allegations that it prevented different hose operators from doing concern astatine the state-owned Victor Attah International Airport.

Ibom Air has been the sole hose relation successful the authorities since its inception successful 2019, prompting speculation that it enjoyed a monopoly.

At a ministerial property briefing astatine Government House, Uyo, connected Monday, the Honorary Special Adviser to Governor Umo Eno connected Aviation and Airport Development, Engineer Uwem Ekanem, said the authorities had opened up the aviation assemblage to different airlines.

He said the authorities had begun talks with ValueJet for operations successful the state, portion arrangements had been concluded for Air Peace to commence formation operations connected October 23.

“The speculation that Ibom Air has a monopoly is wrong. We are successful talks with ValueJet, and hopefully, it volition travel in.

“Air Peace, connected its part, volition commence formation operations astatine the Victor Attah International Airport connected October 23. This volition supply different airlines with the accidental to marque inroads into the state's aviation hub,” helium said.

Meanwhile, the supervising commissioner for the Ministry of Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Emem Almond Bob, said a deficiency of capable concern had delayed the realisation of the Ibom Deep Seaport project.

He said that though Akwa Ibom State had secured the indispensable approvals from the Federal Government, it was inactive moving to pull investors to alteration t...