Almost three months after the Akanu Ibiam International Airport was shut down for ‘urgent repairs’ by the federal government, Preliminary work has just begun on the airport located in Enugu, South East Nigeria.
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika was at the Airport to inspect the commencement of the construction work on the airport which was shut down in August for urgent repairs following safety concerns over damaged runway.
The Minister of Aviation was accompanied to the Airport by the House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Aviation, Nnoli Nnaji and other Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority officials to inspect facilities on ground and the preparedness of the contractor handling the project.
Addressing journalists, Sirika expressed confidence in the competencies of the contractor, assuring that the federal government was determined to make Akanu Ibiam International airport among the best in the country after the reconstruction work.
The minister explained that work at the airport involved total reconstruction of the runway and other safety facilities.
Other areas visited by the team include the airport terminal and the international Wing where construction work is on going.
The minister and his team had earlier paid a courtesy visit to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi at the Government House Enugu where he commended the governor for his support and assistance towards the success of the reconstruction work at the Akanu Ibiam International airport Enugu.
In October, South-East leaders including governors met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House Council Chambers in Abuja to press for the intervention of the federal government to ensure speedy completion of the Enugu airport rehabilitation.
At the meeting, Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum and Ebonyi Governor, Dave Umahi, had urged the President to declare a state of emergency on roads in the South East apart from work on the airport.
