Air Peace Clarifies ₦100m Land Payment for Anambra MRO Project

Air Peace has denied allegations suggesting that its Chairman, Dr. Allen Onyema, made false claims about paying ₦100 million for land designated for a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the Chinua Achebe International Cargo Airport, Umueri, Anambra State.

In a statement issued by the airline, Air Peace explained that the payment was made directly to the Anambra State Government and not to the Umueri community or its traditional ruler. The airline added that the payment, made on August 26, 2021, was officially acknowledged by the government, which subsequently issued a Certificate of Occupancy for the land on September 14, 2021.

Reacting to media reports quoting Igwe Bennett Emeka, the traditional ruler of Umueri, as saying the community did not receive any money from Air Peace, the airline described the monarch’s comments as “baseless and misleading.” It clarified that there was no dispute between Air Peace and the Umueri community regarding the land acquisition.

The statement reaffirmed that the planned MRO facility is part of the airline’s contribution to Nigeria’s aviation development, aimed at reducing aircraft maintenance costs, boosting local capacity, and creating jobs.

Air Peace urged the public to disregard false reports, emphasizing its commitment to transparency and to advancing Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure through the Anambra MRO project.

Oshuniran Sheriff Ola