Akanu Ibiam Int’l Airport Re-opens 371 days after shutdown
By Blessing Ajah
President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday officially reopened the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, for flights operations.
This development comes after the airport was closed to traffic oncon August 24, 2019.
The President noted that the airport with effect fromifrom August 30 was open for local flight operations with effect from today August 30, 2020.
He added that international flights will begin operations from September 5, 2020 “once the COVID-19 has opened the gates to come in”.
The President who was represented by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, noted that the airport had been closed down for 371 days in order for maintenance works on the runway to be effectively carried out.
He recalled that the airport runway had been in a very dilapidated state and condition, thereby giving serious safety concerns.
He hinted that the ten billion naira approved fund by President Buhari was to undertake the rehabilitation of the runway with several associate works.
He said, “These works include, but are not limited to, taxiways, car park, emergency operation centre, gate entrance, linkway, perimetre fencing, perimetre road, terminal rehabilitation, instrument lanedway system, communication Vsat, VHF radio, lightening for nights and operations, search and rescue equipment”.
The Minister expressed gratitude to President Buhari over the approval
the fund, adding that the project is part of President Buhari’s commitment to developing the country.
“We are proud to say that this project being commissioned today is indeed a testimony to Mr. President’s commitment to the provision of infrastructure in the country.”
He also applauded the Governor of Enugu state, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for his help in surmounting most of the challenges faced during the rehabilitation.
Governor Ugwuanyi in his speech, thanked the President for approving the N10bn to fast track the rehabilitation of the runway and other critical infrastructure at the airport.
He said, “The Enugu State government completly removed all the obstacles and projects including the Emene market, which attracted birds that was a safety concern, to ensure leveling environment. We removed five units of two storey houses, 14 units of houses, one church cathedral, 438 shopping malls along Emene among others. We did a number of sacrifice for the Enugu airport and now it is a sacrifice that is worth it”.
The Chairman South East Governors Forum, and Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi recounted how the south eastern states worked in harmony to ensure that the airport rehabilitation was a reality.
Also, the Former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu in his a dress gave three demands for the hub of the South East including immediate commercial flights, approval of more international flights and the completion of the cargo section of the airport.
