Re: Chinese airports

Everyone now knows that during the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Nigerian and Chinese Governments to build four international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt, among other technical agreements signed between the two countries.The writer, from the first paragraph, did not hide his bias against the trip and this […]

Everyone now knows that during the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Nigerian and Chinese Governments to build four international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt, among other technical agreements signed between the two countries.
The writer, from the first paragraph, did not hide his bias against the trip and this ran through the entire gamut of the article. This bias naturally influenced his opinion about the trip, even to the point of blind anger. The title itself was mischievously cast in a manner that suggested that the said airport projects would be substandard, like the average Chinese product in Nigerian markets according to him.
We wish to point out that while criticism about this new international airport projects had mischievously turned to an obsession, even before work on the project started, we believe like Sir Ralph Waldo Emerson that, “criticism should not be querulous and wasting, all knife and root-puller, but guiding, instructive, inspiring”.
Perhaps it this destructive criticism that did not allow the author to do a little research to find out the huge impact that China is making on the world economy, and how it has changed the equation of power play worldwide, even with the good, old USA. We also wish he knew that business partnership with China does not make Nigeria subservient to that country.
It does not make good economic sense for any country to rely on one business partner or wait for ‘manna’ to fall from heaven to turn around its lot. We believe that the MoU for the construction of four ultra modern international terminals was an economic opportunity that any reasonable country in Nigeria’s economic situation should grab with both hands. The terms of the agreement secured by Nigeria cannot be faulted, with the interest on the loan at less than three percent with a grace period of ten years. Besides, the project contractor, CCECC, is a reputable international construction company recognized all over the world. The company has been doing business in Nigeria for many years and currently handles most Federal and State projects, including those in the South West.
A more constructive writer should not have wasted so much space on rigmarole or insults but should have proffered solutions to perceived challenges or irregularities. It does not serve any purpose if he doubts, in one breathe, whether a thing can be done and the next, launch into a tirade of cancelled agreements awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), by past administrations.
Dr Enahoro took his indiscretion too far when he said “far more worrisome than the way the Chinese behave towards the Nigerian market is Government’s decision to borrow money to renovate airports in the first place.” He further charged that “these new terminals to be constructed by CCECC will not provide any new permanent jobs, only temporary employment for labourers during construction”. The first assertion is part of a worn out argument by armchair critics of the Federal Government’s Transformation Agenda in the country’s aviation who know little or nothing about the policy thrust of the agenda but simply argue that Government should no longer engage in capital projects in the industry, even when the Governments of most advanced countries still do.
How would four new ultra-modern international airports, in four major cities, built around the airport city concept, not provide permanent jobs in hospitality business, airline operations, cargo services and so on. These new terminals would also make Nigeria realize its long dream of being a major hub in the African air transport region.
These new airports are a source of employment not only for construction workers in CCECC but provide veritable commercial offerings that provide opportunities for both local and foreign investors to manage lounges, shopping malls, and other related facilities. This is the first time that Nigeria would benefit from the exportation of perishable cargo on a large scale.
A revolution has come to the Nigerian aviation industry and no amount of convoluted criticism could change its tempo. It is not possible for everyone to see its positive effect, including the construction of these “Chinese airports” now but sooner than later, the result will speak for themselves, as it is with the case with the telecommunication (GSM) revolution.

Dati, Coordinating General Manager (PR) Aviation parastatals