Enugu Airport: 56 days after closure, 36 days after award of contract, FG votes N10bn
The Federal Government Thursday approved the sum of N10billion as an intervention fund for the upgrade of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
This is coming after 56 days of closure, 36 days of award of contract and massive outcries of South East leaders of thought and business operators who use the international airport.
Their agitation followed more than one month of silence on resuming the runway repairs which was the main safety reasons why it was shut in August.
The approval was contained in a presidential tweet on President Muhammadu Buhari’s official handle @MBuhari, saying “I have approved the sum of N10billion for an Intervention fund for the upgrade of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. I have the assurance of the Minister of Aviation that the work will be done speedily and to the highest standards.
“Even as we have many items competing for our limited resources, we will continue to prioritize infrastructure investments in every part of the country. It is our responsibility to ensure Nigeria’s infrastructure is fixed; we will keep doing this,” President Buhari tweeted.
It was not clear if the sudden approval was as a result of fresh pressure mounted on the presidency when he received southeast Governors and leaders from the Zone in State House on Thursday, Oct 17, 2019.
Giving insights on their delegation to Mr president and outcome, Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Dave Umahi revealed that whereas they came to ask for special funding for the airport renewal, Mr president had made an express apporval of N10bn for the reconstruction work on the airport.
