The Enugu State governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has narrated the efforts of the state government towards the reopening of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport.
The Governor who was speaking during the ceremony on Sunday, 30th August said the efforts of the state government is because of “their determination to provide an enabling environment and the needed support to ensure the quick completion of the rehabilitation work and critical infrastructure upgrade of this important facility.
The governor who went down memory lane recalled that; “The airport was shutdown on August 24th, 2019 due to urgent safety and infrastructural concerns which includes: the deplorable state of the airport runway, the presence of Orie Emene market and abattoir which attracts birds and interfere with the navigational safety of the airport, the wrong positioning of the radio and television masts, encroachment on the land area of the airport, lack of access road to the very high directional radio range/distance measuring equipment, etc.”
The Governor went ahead to enumerate the efforts of the state which he said includes; complete removal of all encroachment on the airport facility, removal and relocation of the 120-meter Enugu State Broadcasting Service TV/Radio Mast and Transmission Station; removal, demolition and relocation of the Orie Emene market, construction of a 1.3km asphalt road to the Very High Directional Radio Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (V.O.R/D.M.E) navigation facility at Emene, Provision of finance for the upgrade and refurbishment of existing toilet facility in the terminal building, among others.
Gov. Ugwuanyi who noted that “it was indeed an enormous sacrifice on the part of the government and good people of Enugu State, pointed out that “it was a sacrifice worth the while, with the historic event of the reopening of the newly rehabilitated airport.”
The governor appreciated the unparalleled commitment of President Buhari to the infrastructural upgrade of the airport, stating that the project was a clear testimony to President Buhari’s determination to “rebuild the nation through the provision of critical infrastructure, to stimulate economic growth and development of the Nigerian nation”.
He also appreciated his fellow South East governors, the Minister of Aviation, Senator Sirika and other stakeholders, for their efforts and commitment to the actualization of the project.
Also speaking at the event, the governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman of South East Governors’ Forum, Engr. Dave Umahi expressed happiness over the reopening of the airport, saying the rehabilitation of the airport was a risk worth taking.
He also commended President Buhari for approving a special fuding for the project.
Gov. Umahi also expressed gratitude to the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Sirika for displaying a special character worthy of emulation, in seeing that the project was realized.
The South East Governors Forum (SEGF) chairman equally appreciated Gov. Ugwuanyi for his outstanding commitment and the courage he displayed in ensuring that all the requests made by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the resolution of the SEGF with regard to safety measures, were implemented to the letter.
