Fubara says project addresses host community concerns, boosts aviation development
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has commissioned the newly reconstructed Port Harcourt Airport Road and officially flagged off the construction of the airport bypass and tollgate project in Rivers State.
The development was confirmed in a statement released on Friday by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the minister.
According to the statement, Keyamo joined the government and people of Rivers State to mark what was described as another milestone in infrastructure delivery and support for Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Speaking at the ceremony, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, said the project was initiated to resolve long-standing grievances from the host community of the Port Harcourt International Airport.
Fubara recalled a previous incident in which residents blocked the airport access road for an entire day, forcing a shutdown of commercial airport activities.
“The protesters demanded employment opportunities, electricity and improved welfare, expressing concerns over years of marginalisation despite hosting such a critical national asset,” the governor said.
He explained that his administration has since addressed two of the three demands, including the provision of electricity and a functional health centre for the community.
According to Fubara, the airport bypass and tollgate project, which is now under construction, is expected to be completed within seven months.
The governor added that the third demand employment, although not directly within the powers of the state government, is currently under review.
In his remarks, Keyamo commended the Rivers State Government for taking concrete steps to address community concerns while supporting federal efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure.
The minister described the reconstructed airport road as a “transformational intervention,” noting that its previous state had been a major source of embarrassment to travellers, airlines, and investors arriving in the state.
He said the project aligns with the Federal Government’s aviation development agenda, reiterating the ministry’s commitment to partnering with state governments to deliver safe, modern, and accessible airport infrastructure across the country.
The statement noted that the commissioning of the airport road and the commencement of the bypass and tollgate project reflect Governor Fubara’s people-focused governance approach and Rivers State’s growing role in Nigeria’s aviation and economic development.
It will be recalled that on August 1, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved contracts valued at over ₦900 billion for the rehabilitation of the Lagos and Port Harcourt airports.
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