Despite the growing hunger and economic hardship in the country, the governors in the southwest, both past and present, have voted more than N266 billion for the construction of new airports despite the non-viability of the many existing ones.
As governors continue to pursue these projects, industry experts believe that some of these projects may not succeed and may not be profitable in the long run.
Many ex-governors abandoned some of these projects, which are now burdens on their successors.
Findings show that the six southwest governors have cited airport projects in their various states sinking billions of naira on the project sites.
All six states of the southwest now have either an airport or a site where billions of naira have been spent in pursuit of an aerodrome. These states include Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti.
Eight airport sites are in the six states. It was gathered that the Federal Government is responsible for the two airports in Ondo and Oyo states, while the four other state governments are responsible for the construction of the other five uncompleted airports.
In Lagos, the Federal Government-owned and operated Murtala Muhammed Airport has been adjudged as the most viable airport in the country.
In July, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Olubunmi Kuku, revealed that only three of 22 airports in the country were viable and were contributing to the growth of the aviation sector.
Industry experts said governors embark on airport projects against the advice of professionals in pursuit of political gains and stealing of public funds.