Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has announced an ambitious plan to acquire four new aircraft for the state-owned airline, Enugu Air, at a cost of N41.1 billion.
This move is part of his administration’s efforts to transform Enugu into a commercial hub in Nigeria.
The announcement was made during the presentation of the 2025 budget appropriation, totaling N971 billion, to the State House of Assembly.
Mbah emphasized that the airline expansion aligns with his vision of driving economic growth and positioning Enugu as a key player in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Governor Mbah described the 2025 budget as a blueprint for exponential growth and inclusive prosperity.
The budget consists of N837.9 billion allocated to capital expenditure, which accounts for 86% of the total, and N133.1 billion for recurrent expenditure, making up 14%.
He said, “In the area of transport, we will be spending N41,132,463,000 to expand Enugu Air with the acquisition of four additional aircraft.
“We will also consummate the concessioning of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport and construct an international cargo terminal.”
The education sector remains a priority in the 2025 budget, receiving a lion’s share of N320.6 billion, which represents over 33% of the total allocation.
This mirrors the 2024 budget, which similarly prioritized education and critical infrastructure projects.
Governor Mbah explained that the heavy investment in education and infrastructure aims to eradicate poverty and promote inclusive development.
He said, “We are committed to ensuring that no one or segment of society is left behind.”
The 2025 budget marks a significant leap from the previous year’s budget of N521.5 billion.
This represents an 86.4% increase, reflecting the administration’s commitment to aggressive development and modernization.
Mbah highlighted the growth in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which surged from N37.4 billion in 2023 to N144.7 billion by September 2024.
This 286.2% increase underscores the administration’s efforts to reduce reliance on federal allocations.
Governor Mbah reiterated his goal of elevating Enugu State to one of the top three states in Nigeria by Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He said, “In crafting this budget, we have sought to lay the right foundation to enhance the economy and attract even more private investment.”
Mbah acknowledged the challenging economic environment in Nigeria but maintained that his administration remains committed to its aspirations.
“We are bullish in our determination to eradicate poverty and drive sustainable growth from the sub-national level to the federal level,” he added.
In addition to acquiring new aircraft, the 2025 budget includes plans for a modern taxi scheme in collaboration with the private sector.
The scheme aims to improve urban and inter-urban transportation for Ndi Enugu.
The governor also pledged to develop an international cargo terminal as part of his administration’s vision for a modernized transportation sector.
