Okorocha sets next week for inauguration of new Imo Int’l Airport by Buhari
Barring last minute hitches, all is said to be set for the commissioning of newly refurbished Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport (SMICA), Owerri by President Muhammadu Buhari.
A statement made available to Business Hilights South East Bureau chief in Owerri however, said the possibility is dependent on the availability of President Muhammadu Buhari at a date to be chosen next week.
Outgoing Governor Rochas Okorocha had on receiving the Director of Commercial and Development of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Sadik Rafindadi at the Government House Owerri, given insights on the readiness of the airport for the inauguration.
Whereas Okorocha claimed that handing over the SMICA to his successor will remain a legacy of his administration, several Imo citizens who bared their minds on the statement, chided the governor, saying the Airport was idealised and built in the 80s with ‘Survival Levy’ and other state resources by the late first executive Governor of the State, Dr Sam Mbakwe and not Okorocha for record same.
Imo indigenes queried when and how an outgoing governor will extend the existing runway as required by FAAN to ensure safe landing of big cargo aircrafts, when his administration is now counting only in weeks.
The Governor who was silent on whether the recent inferno that gutted part of the arrival hall, told FAAN official that “The idea of building the International Cargo Airport is to connect Imo State to the rest of the world; we are happy that this project has become a reality and we are waiting for the kind approval of the president to commission the project.
“When fully commissioned, it will increase and improve the commercial and economic activities of the people here.
“This is the biggest Cargo Airport in Nigeria and we are very happy to handover this legacy to the incoming government and our generation yet unborn.
“Imo Government will extend the existing runway to enable the Boeing 737 and other big cargo aircrafts to land safely.
“Most of the big importers in Nigeria come from the South-East and so this will help them in their businesses greatly.
“We are happy that this project has become a reality and we are hoping that in the next 10 days, this project will be commissioned and opened for public use,” he said.
Responding, Rafindadi presented letter from the Managing Director of FAAN to the governor, and assured him of FAAN closeness to SMICA.
