Keyamo: Maintenance culture will generate over $2bn in Aviation Sector

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has projected that Nigeria will generate over $2 billion annually if it is able to establish major Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility.

Doing so, he stated, will also save Nigerian airlines about the same amount of money that are repatriated annually to pay for aircraft checks overseas.

Keyamo who disclosed this at the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) conference in Lagos said it became critical for Nigeria to build such facility as quickly as practically possible.

Keyamo also disclosed that he had started speaking to investors who may become interested in partnering with the federal government to realise the project, “as government has concluded that such project could only be realised through Public, Private Partnership (PPP) because of the financial outlay and technical depth needed in the project.”

Keyamo had disclosed recently that he has made firm push to establish the maintenance facility, “and some investors from overseas are showing interest.” Some have spoken about the MROs. I think it is at the heart of the improvement of our local aviation industry. We need to bring in the MROs.People are already talking with us. I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag. Very soon, we are going to advertise and call for partnership. That is the only way to go. And I think we need to call in people with money. So, for our local businessmen, our banks, financial institutions, financiers, don’t say that foreigners are coming to take your business away.”