EnuguAir: Lofty dream, misplaced priority - Frank Nweke Jr

Frank Nweke Jr.

We have only one state in Nigeria with a functional airline. It is arguably one of the best in the country. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the state had a poverty rate of 28% when the airline was launched in 2019.

As of today, 71% of people live in poverty, proving that aircraft ownership has little to no effect on reducing poverty. Less than a year after it began operations, the second airline that was present in one of the southeast states continued to fly.

Aviation Industry Stakeholders convened a conference in Abuja in September to explore the issues plaguing the nation's airlines, ranging from policy to infrastructure and safety deficiencies.

The high interest rates on loans, the forex crisis, dozens of charges by the government, and high costs of operations in Nigerian airports hamper airline profitability in the country, despite the potential for an increase in passenger traffic over the next decade. In Enugu State, 63.1% of our population live below the poverty limit (NBS, 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index Survey).

This means that over 2.6 million people live below $1, N775.75 (Exchange rate at the Import/Export window, October 16, 2023) a day, and have little access to food, basic health, education, and sanitary infrastructure.

The solution to their constant hunger is not EnuguAir. It will be putting the wagon before the horse and expecting development if the State continues in the direction that the Commissioner of Transportation, Obi Ozor, revealed a few days ago.

The data and the state of our economy and finances do not support high-profile projects that compromise people's right to basic survival and dignity.

While the construction of a storage and processing facility will increase farm produce export revenue, the transportation can be accomplished in collaboration with current airlines. It's also important to remember that in September, the United States travel advise listed Enugu State as one of the Nigerian regions to stay away from due to crime, kidnapping, and armed gang activities. Investors only go to locations where they feel secure.

When the state faces more pressing threats and difficulties, investing in a state-owned airline will be a mistaken priority. The state requires measures that deal with current problems, guarantee security, foster public trust, and open the way for forward-thinking and long-term initiatives.

Available funds and public-private partnerships should be directed at urgent investments to ensure food security, reliable water supply, healthcare, power supply, schools, teacher training, skills and entrepreneurship development, and sanitary and road infrastructure.

While exact data is unavailable for road transport in Enugu State, the National Bureau of Statistics shows that road travel accounts for about 90% of the transport sector's contribution to the national GDP. Air transport accounts for 6 to 7%. The ratio will be similar at the sub- national level. This is not surprising.

With airfare at N130,000 for a round- trip to Enugu, minimum wage at N30,000 per month, and an unemployment rate of 31.16% (NBS, 2020 survey), more individuals will embrace a cheaper, albeit more arduous and time-consuming road transport as a preferred travel option.

The available data and economic reality of the majority of our citizens support the prioritization of road infrastructure development in budget and economic planning. Highfalutin projects and captivating headlines without direct improvements in the human condition are not a viable economic development strategy. We must prioritise our people.

The sun will rise again. Our glory will

be restored. Our state will be rebuilt.

May we live to see the reigniting of the coal city. God bless you. God bless Enugu State.

Frank Nweke Jr, a former information minister, hails from Enugu State.