Anietie Udobit
Minister of Aviation Senator Hadi Sirika, has given
assurance that the Enugu airport which is undergoing rehabilitation would be
ready before Easter.
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The Minister who inspected the ongoing rehabilitation of the
runway of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu On Wednesday expressed
satisfaction with the progress of work.
Senator Sirika was accompanied by the Enugu State Deputy
Governor, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Hon.
Nnolim Nnaji, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Aviation Musa
Hassan, the Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN),
Captain Rabiu Yadudu, the Enugu 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.
Addressing newsmen after the inspection, the minister
expressed satisfaction with the extent of work done so far, reassuring that the
airport will be reopened before Easter as earlier promised.
Continuing, the minister said he would soon begin a
countdown on the reopening of the airport which was shut down in August 2019.
Sirika said: “I am very satisfied with the level of work
done. According to the programme of work approved and established by us, we are
beating the deadline. We will deliver the runway before Easter.”
He promised that the “new” airport will have all
the modern facilities and equipment to enhance safe flight operations.
“The runway when completed will have other equipment such as
the instrument landing system, airfield lighting, taxiway lighting and every
single equipment and system that will enhance safe flight operations,” Sirika
said.
The Enugu State Deputy Governor, Hon. Mrs. Ezeilo, who
stressed the importance of the airport to the people of the South East
geo-political zone and beyond, said that the state government remains committed
to the timely completion of the project.
Also speaking, the Aviation Committee Chairman, Hon. Nnaji
disclosed that the National Assembly has fulfilled her part in the execution of
the project adding that what is remaining is their oversight functions to
ensure that the airport renovation is completed to standard for its reopening
as promised by the Federal Government.
The Federal Government had on August 24, announced the
closure of the airport, which is the only international airport in the South
East region, for the reconstruction of its runway.