Users of Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu are becoming shoulder high following renewed assurance given by the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, after weekend inspection of the ongoing rehabilitation of the airport runway.
Senator Sirika was accompanied by the Enugu State Deputy Governor, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Nnoli Nnaji, the Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Captain Rabiu Yadudu, the State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Greg Nnaji and the delegation from the South East Governors Forum’ Enugu Airport/Palliative Works Committee, among others.
Whereas the Minister, who had earlier fears due to paucity of fund for the project, expressed satisfaction with the extent of work done so far, he reassured that the airport will be reopened before Easter as earlier promised.
He revealed that enough fund had been made available for the early completion of the repairs so that the airport will come back to life.
Recall that the only functional international airport in the South East was shut down for repairs some months ago but before the repair would takeoff, there were issue of landowners’/FAAN misunderstanding over ownership of certain strategic portions of land very close to the airport in Enugu.
Though the resolution of land ownership is still hanging, in her remarks during the weekend visit of the airport, Enugu State Deputy Governor, Hon. Mrs. Ezeilo, stressed the importance of the airport to the people of the South East geo-political zone and beyond, saying the state government remains committed to the timely completion of the project.
In his response to questions from journalists, House of Representatives member and Chairman, Aviation Committee, Hon. Nnoli Nnaji, explained that the National Assembly had long fulfilled her part in the execution of the project, saying “What is remaining is our oversight functions to ensure that the airport renovation is completed to standard for its reopening as promised by the Federal Government.”
Recall that since the closure of the international airport, traffic had been moved to Owerri and Port Harcourt to allow for repair time.
