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From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the Air Peace Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The project, supported by Fidelity Bank and the Bank of Industry, is being executed in partnership with Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, Embraer.
To the Minister, the facility would not only provide global-standard aircraft maintenance services for Nigerian airlines but also position the country as a regional hub for aviation.
The initiative, he said aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises the growth of indigenous businesses.
He added that Nigerian airlines would soon begin to enjoy incentives similar to those available to their international counterparts.
Keyamo also disclosed that Nigeria’s first-ever dry lease transaction is set to take place in the coming weeks.
“This success is part of Mr. President’s vision. We are only driving it to reality.
“No sector can thrive without strong financial support, and the commitment of our banks today is a testimony to the confidence in aviation,” he said.
The minister noted that the MRO project, conceived nine years ago, was finally being realised under Tinubu’s administration as one of the direct benefits of his recent state visit to Brazil.
Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, hailed the government for its support to local airlines.
He revealed that the facility would create over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs while saving the industry more than N180 billion annually in offshore aircraft maintenance costs.
The Air Peace MRO project is scheduled for completion within 24 months.
