ABUJA— THE House of Representatives has called for the urgent intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the immediate commencement of work at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
It also mandated its Committee on Aviation headed by Hon. Nnoli Nnaji (Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency, Enugu) to interface with the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, to ensure that work commenced immediately.
The House resolutions were sequel to a motion sponsored by the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Toby Okechukwu (Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency) at plenary on Wednesday and co-sponsored by 13 others, mainly from the South East Caucus.
Coming under Matters of Urgent Public Importance, Hon. Okechukwu, while presenting the motion entitled “Need to Ensure Speedy Rehabilitation of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu”, noted that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) closed down the airport on August 24, 2019 to allow for rehabilitation works on the runway.
He said the House was: “Aware that the Hon. Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, visited Enugu and after a meeting with governors and stakeholders in the South East, affirmed that the rehabilitation would be completed by Christmas 2019.
“Alarmed that six weeks after closure of the airport, no rehabilitation or reconstruction work has begun at the airport even as there are no indications that the contractor would mobilise to site any time soon.
“Concerned that the major arterial routes leading to other alternate airports or leading to the southeast have dilapidated and burdens the travelling public.
“Disturbed that in spite of the December 2019 deadline which is fast approaching, no contractor has been mobilised to the site and no fund released for the rehabilitation works.
“Worried that the closure of the airport has exposed the travelling public to avoidable inconveniences and frustrated their ease of doing business.
“Convinced that the funding model for the renovation of Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja would save Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu from protracted closure”.
“And recognised that Akanu Ibiam International Airport is critical to the safety, economic, and social lives of most Nigerians and foreign travelers”.
Consequently, the House called for President Buhari’s immediate intervention.
It additionally called on the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to, in the meantime, expedite repairs of major roads leading to the alternative routes and airports to alleviate the sufferings of members of the public.
The motion was co-sponsored by Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejocha, Hon. Pat Asadu, Hon. Ofor Chukwuegbo, Hon. Dennis Amadi, Hon. Martins Oke, Hon. Cornelius Nnaji, Hon. Simeon Atigwe, and Hon. Blessing Onuh.
Others include Hon. Nkole Uko, Hon. Darlington Nwokocha, Hon. Valentine Ayika, Hon. Francis Agbo, and Hon. Benjamin Mzondu.
