From his initial promise of early December 2019, the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has said that the possible delivery date for the repair work on the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu State is no more December this year, but around Easter or April 2020.
Recall that a high powered delegation of South East Governors and some leaders of thought approached President Muhammadu Buhari last week following more than 56 days of waiting and 36 days of contract award without funding.
The begging that ensued during the visit briefing the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation to defend the 2020 budget proposed by the ministry earlier Tuesday, the Minister revealed that even though President Buhari had approved the N10bn needed for the rehabilitation of the airport, the ministry was still awaiting the release of the money.
He was quick to assure the lawmakers that depending on the time the N10bn will be released, “The work would not last beyond Easter and it would be so delivered in such a way that we will treat the Enugu problem once and for all.”
Business Hilights South East Bureau chief reports that since the closure of Enugu Airport, the region’s international and mainly local air traffic have been diverted to either Owerri or Port Harcourt pending when repairs would be completed next year.