President Muhammad Buhari has declared Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu open for flight operations after 371 days it was closed down for maintenance; August 24th, 2019.
The president in his speech during the official opening of the airport on Sunday, 30th August, said; “The airport is open for flight operations, so, the local flight can start coming in today while the international flight will resume on September 5th, immediately the restriction due to the COVID-19 is lifted.”
Senator Hadi Sirika, the Minister for Aviation who represented the president at the event said maintained that; “the project being commissioned today is a testimony to the President’s commitment to the provision of infrastructure in the country.”
“You will recall that the runway of this all important airport to the South East region and the country at large was in dilapidated condition, raising serious safety concern.”
The minister emphasized that it was based on the condition of the airport that they approached the president “on the urgent need to reconstruct the runway and other associated works. The president approved the sum of Ten Billion Naira for the project.”
The Minister disclosed that: “the works included but not limited to; the taxi bay, emergency operation centre, car park, entrance of the gate, perimeter fencing, perimeter road, terminal rehabilitation, pilot lounge, instrument landing system that will allow landing in bad weather, communication Vsat, VHF radio, lightening for night operations at the airport, search and rescue equipments and many more, all aimed at improving the efficiency of the Airport.”
The minister also assured that the remaining works at the airport will also be delivered at record time.
“Having delivered on these projects, we will focus on delivering the cargo terminal, the international terminal building and many more,” revealing he has also signed the approval for the release of 1 Billion Naira for the continuation of the international terminal building.
He also commended the governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for helping in surmounting some of the challenges faced during the rehabilitation of the airport.
“I want to thank you Mr. Governor, because, one of the challenges that we had was the Orie Emene market which constitutes a safety risk for the people coming in and out of the airport which was why the Governor was passionate in handling it, the free-trade-zone, etc.
“I thank you governor Ugwuanyi for the unwavering support you gave to us which includes, the construction of access roads, removal of the communication masts on the runway, renovation of the Nigeria airspace management authority facility, etc.” Hadi said.
