Introserve Technologies Limited, a firm handling the installation, maintenance of security, information and communications infrastructure at the the Akwa Ibom International Airport has threatened to ground its operations over an alleged N67.2million debt by the state government to the company.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of the company, Chief Alex Nkennor, who disclosed this at a media chat in Uyo, warned flight operators and air passengers to beware.
According to him, the said debt were the quoted figures expended on general maintenance and overhaul of security and information systems at the airport since 2014.
He recalled that the contract awarded to Introserve Technologies Limited by the state government through Alcon Nigeria Limited had since been completed, but expressed fears that the state government’s refusal to make payment for the completion of the remaining phase (logistics) under the contract, could be disastrous to aircraft and passengers travelling through the airport.
‘‘Akwa Ibom State Government’s inaction or non-responsiveness to maintaining the installed ICT and security equipment tantamount to exposing the passengers and the general public to avoidable danger, and also damage to the goodwill and integrity of the contractor in the event of aircraft accident like a particular incident, where flight was diverted to Port-Harcourt airport.”
Nkennor lamented that the airport, which is of international standard, has no effective communication system due to the neglect of such facilities.
He said he has written to the Federal Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Abuja to audit the standard of maintenance of facilities at the airport.
