Former minister of information Frank Nweke, has expressed his concerns about the Enugu Air project by the immediate past administration of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in the state.
The incumbent government led by Governor Peter Mbah has hinted that it would continue the project.
Nweke, in a social media post, labelled the project as a lofty dream and a misplaced priority, citing data and economic factors to support his stance.
According to him, despite the airline launch in 2019, the poverty rate in the state has increased from 28% to 71%.
His words: ”In Enugu state, 63.1% of our population lives 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.
”Enugu Air is not the answer to their daily hunger. If the state continues in the direction as shared by the commissioner of transportation, Obi Ozor, a few days ago, it will be a case of placing the cart before the horse and expecting progress.
”The data and our economic and fiscal conditions are not in favour of high-profile projects at the expense of basic human survival and dignity.
”While the establishment of a storage and processing facility will facilitate export revenue from farm produce, the transportation can be achieved in partnership with existing airlines.”
He reminded the government of the United States travel advisory that included Enugu state on the list of places to avoid in Nigeria for crime, kidnapping, and armed gang operations.
He added: ”Investors will only come to a place where they feel safe. Channelling resources into a state-owned airline will be a misplaced priority when the state faces more immediate dangers and challenges.
”The state needs solutions that address immediate challenges, ensure security, build trust with the people, and pave a path for progressive and sustainable projects.
”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.”
Nweke concluded by emphasising the need to prioritise the well-being of the people, especially when high-profile projects do not directly improve the human condition.
”Highfalutin projects and captivating headlines without direct improvements in the human condition are not a viable economic development strategy,” he concluded.