Following the recent abandonment of the Akwa Ibom Airport project by DynCorp International LLC, and the clear breach of contractual agreement with the State Government, it has become necessary to state the facts of the situation in order to clear the several questions asked by concerned members of the public.

It would be recalled that in 2005, Akwa Ibom State decided to construct a first crass International and State-of-the Art Category II Airport in Uyo, including a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for Nigeria, regional and international aircraft, the first of its kind in West Africa. The MRO facility will be a tremendous asset to civil aviation in Nigeria.

Upon its completion, the Airport will position Akwa Ibom State at the forefront of the growing International trade and· commerce between West Africa and the Middle East, China, Europe and the United States. A feasibility study commissioned by the State confirmed the economic viability of the project, including the probable use of the MRO facility by the Nigeria Air Force.

In order to implement the Project, the State retained the services of DynCorp International LLC, a US based company, to serve as prime contractor for the construction and completion of the Airport. DynCorp was selected in large part because of its assurances that it had the expertise to carry out the Project and its experience in performing A, B, C and D checks for medium-sized and large aircrafts. It was also envisioned that DynCorp would invest in and ultimately serve as the operator of the MRO facility once it was completed. DynCorp hired Nigeria-based subcontractors to perform the civil works and to assist DynCorp in carrying out the work. Construction of the Project commenced in late 2005.

However, in late June of this year, DynCorp abruptly abandoned the Project and subsequently informed the State of its termination of the contract for the construction of the Airport and MRO facility. The State is shocked and dismayed at DynCorp's behaviour and it  is analyzing the circumstances behind DynCorp's unexpected departure from Akwa Ibom State. Additionally the State is carefully studying all of its contractual and legal rights and is prepared to take all appropriate action to protect its interests.

Already, a judicial commission of enquiry has been constituted to look into the affairs of the airport project and report back to the state government.

Despite DynCorp's action, the State remains fully committed to completing the Project. Work at the Project Site continues. Materials needed for the continued construction of the MRO facility is in transit from Asia and other equipment such as navigational aids have been ordered or are already at the Project Site. The State fully expects that the Airport will be substantially completed early next year and to have the MRO facility operational in the second half of 2009.

Singed:

Aniekan Umanah

Hon. Commissioner for Information