The Forum of South- Eastern Governors, as well as other leaders and men of Prominence in the geo-political zone had gathered at the Premises of the Akanu Ibiam international airport, Enugu, as they celebrate the reopening of the Airport on Sunday, 30th of August 2020, which had been under major rehabilitations of its Runway and other Facilities since it was closed on 24th August, 2019.

In an Event to commemorate the historic Opening of the Afore mentioned airport, the minister for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, lauded the president, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) for making available a sum of Ten billion Naira for the rehabilitations of the Airport’s Facilities.

He also Commended the collective effort of the South eastern Governors towards the actualization of this project, with specificity to the Executive Governor of Enugu state, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for his tremendous efforts and unwavering support in this journey.

He then outlined the major rehabilitations undertaken on the runway and other works, which include taxi way, link way, emergency operation centre, car park, entrance gate, perimeter fencing, perimeter wall, terminal rehabilitation, instrument landing system to allow landing even in bad weather.

He said that the Airport is formally opened for domestic flights “today” and international flights on September 5, saying, “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”.

The Airport which serves as a major Economic gateway to the South-East and beyond as it is the only international airport with the Geo-political zone, had been a major concern for both the government of the housing state, Enugu state and the Public, because with its closure came a lot of hurdles with travels and influx of investment into the state and zone at large, the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic notwithstanding.

Speaking during the Event, though in separate dictions, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, the Deputy Chief Whip, House of Representatives, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Geoffrey Onyeama, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo among other men of Eminence, Enumerated the functionality of this airport, with emphasis on the Economic lift, they commended the President, for making the funds readily available, Sen. Hadi Sirika for his commitment to seeing the effectual completion of this project, the state governor as well as other southeastern governors for their Solo and substantial inputs towards this goal.

They also enjoined the Federal government to see to the completion of the Cargo terminal and the International section of the airport, right on schedule.

The Chairman of the South Eastern Governors forum and Executive Governor of Ebonyi state, Engr. Dave Umahi, on behalf of the members of the forum, appreciated the President for the approval and release of the special funds, a total of Ten billion Naira, for the Airport project, also to Sen. Hadi Sirika, for exhibiting strength and commitment towards the project.

He then, expressly Applauded, Ugwuanyi for being such a committed and resilient leader, for this great show of leadership, towards achieving this sole aim. He made sure that every requests of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, and all the concerns of the SEGF, with regards to safety were all met in Ernest.

In his speech, he said, ” Governor of Enugu State, we can’t thank you enough. You made the job of all the South East Governors so easy; you undertook to do it alone. Thank you for the courage in removing all the illegal structures affecting the safety of the air travelers. Thank you for the road you built and other infrastructure, logistics support and daily supervision you offered in this place. Mr. Governor (Ugwuanyi) we are very grateful to you, thank you very much.”

Speaking during his address, Gov. Ugwuanyi appreciated the unadultrated commitment of President Buhari to the infrastructural upgrade of the airport, he also disclosed that the Enugu State government in its determination to provide the enabling environment and needed support to ensure the quick completion of rehabilitation works undertook and provided the required support.

According to the governor, the support includes, complete removal of all encroachment on the airport facility; removal and relocation of the 120-meter Enugu State Broadcasting Service TV/Radio Mast and Transmission Station; removal, demolition and relocation of the Orie Emene market;  construction of a 1.3km asphalt road to the Very High Directional Radio Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (V.O.R/D.M.E) navigation facility at Emene; Provision of finance for the upgrade and refurbishment of existing toilet facility in the terminal building, among others.

Gov. Ugwuanyi who noted that it was indeed a huge sacrifice on the part of the government and good people of Enugu State, pointed out that it was a sacrifice worth the while, with the historic event of the reopening of the newly rehabilitated airport.

The governor stated that the project was a clear testimony to President Buhari’s determination to “rebuild the nation through the provision of critical infrastructure, to stimulate economic growth and development of the Nigerian nation”.  

He also appreciated his fellow South East governors, the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Sirika and other stakeholders, for their efforts and commitment to the actualization of the project.