The Ebonyi State government said Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, Onueke, will commence full flight operation in May 2024 after the completion of the asphalt laying of the runway.
The state commissioner for aviation and transport technology, Mrs. Ngozi Obichukwu, made the disclosure at the Presidential Lounge of the airport during an inspection of the runway.
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She said the asphalting of the runway would soon be completed by the contractor.
“We are making sure that the airways are safe and that the transporters that are using flights are equally safe. We commenced operations, but we had a little challenge on the runway, where the airlines land and take off.
“We discovered that the runway needed to be asphalted because the flight does not require the concrete that we used.
“That’s why the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) requested us to change the runway pattern of concrete to asphalt. And the runway is being asphalted now. The governor is desirous to put the airport in perfect use and to make sure that Ebonyi is on the world map of travellers.
“We have finished scarification that will help to hold the asphalt. Technically, we are handling it. we thought that the project will be ready by August, but the way it is now, we are ready to start operation by May,” Obichukwu said.
The commissioner said the state government had paid only 30 percent based on the advance payment, adding that “We make sure that the fund we release to them were guaranteed by a reputable bank and this has made them kick off the project. And they are moving in a high pace, that we all are happy.
“When the runway is completed, the airport will be an economic hub, not only to Ebonyi State but to the entire South East region, so also, to Nigerians in diaspora.
“They will be accessing Nigeria through the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport. We will allow Cameroon, Chad and other African countries to access Nigeria through Chuba Okadigbo International Airport.
“We will equally allow them to use our cargo. we will be exporting goods and services, that are worth exporting through Chuba Okadigbo International Airport,” she said.