The role of collaboration in developing critical air transport infrastructure for accelerated economic development continues to gain traction between Federal and state governments. KELVIN OSA-OKUNBOR writes that besides the N10 billion injected by the government to upgrade facilities at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, synergy among states in the Southeast remains key in pushing for management models/options to deliver the 10-15 million passenger capacity facility.
The push for air safety received a boost at the weekend when the Federal Government inaugurated the runway and other terminal facilities at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
The re-opening of the airport came after 370 days of closure to enable the Ministry of Aviation overhaul the facilities, especially the runway at the only international airport in the Southeast.
Before the airport was shut for repairs, indigenous and foreign carriers had complained of the deplorable state of facilities at the airport, describing it as an accident waiting to happen.
Besides airlines and other users of the airport, Southeast governors also complained of the state of facilities at the airport, accusing the Federal Government of neglect.
Southeast governors and airlines had complained about the unsafe state of the runway before the runway was shut down for flights.
Governors in the southeast have raised the alarm that the Akanu Ibiam International Airport was not safe for passengers. Noting that it was not also secure for flight operations, they demanded urgent intervention of the Federal Government.
Director-General, Southeast Governors Forum (SEGF), Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, implored the Federal Government to deal with the infrastructural decay at the airport. He warned that the parlous state of the airport was a disaster waiting to happen.
The forum said: “The airport is not safe, as there are no runway lights, the tarmac is bumpy with potholes, while one of the buildings destroyed by storm over two years ago has become an eyesore. The cargo section of the airport is not functional.
“It is indeed a shame that a whole region, as economically robust as southeast, does not have an airport that can land all categories of aircraft. The Federal Government should please come to our aid.”
Though the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) inspected facilities at the airport, persistent clamour by stakeholders forced the government to shut the terminal for repairs.
To drive the overhaul of the facilities, Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika set the machinery in motion to secure a N10 billion loan to fix the aerodrome.
Speaking during the re-opening of Enugu airport on Sunday, Sirika stated that the airport had been upgraded to international standards and that very soon big aircraft would be taking off and landing at the airport from various parts of the world.
He explained that against the wishes of some stakeholders to make just Lagos and Abuja international airports, he ensured Enugu, Port Harcourt and Kano airports are upgraded for international operations in a bid to satisfy the flying public from these regions.
“Stakeholders wanted us to only make Abuja and Lagos airport international airports and use smaller aircraft to ferry passengers to other states.. I am a policy maker and I look at the haves and the have nots.
“It will cost an average business man about one thousand dollars to book a hotel and board flight to come down to these airports from Lagos and Abuja. We will serve you where you are. I made sure Enugu airport meets all international standards that it requires.”
Experts said the Enugu Airport remains strategic given its traffic figures in the throughput of airports across the country and its growth trajectory.
Situated at a suburb called Emene, the extensive upgrade of the airport, including its runway and airside, according to an expert, is a timely intervention by the Buhari administration in terms of his promises of delivering a landmark project for people of the Southeast Zone.
In an interview, aviation consultant and Chief Executive Officer, Belujane Konzults, Mr Chris Aligbe said: “Ugwuanyi took possession of the project as if it were personal. He has been outstanding. Next to him is Hon. Nnoli Nnaji, the Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation. The Akpugo-born pharmacist turned lawmaker has been outstanding in his interventions towards the realisation of the Enugu Airport project.
“As the joy of the re-opening of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport eclipses the setback of the “Enugu landowner insanity”, it is necessary to pause and take a peep into the annals of the history of Enugu Airport. Between 1999 and 2007, most Nigerian airports and Aviation infrastructure; from Terminals to Runways, from Airspace management facilities to manpower and airlines, all had taken a steep downward slide. Like other subsectors, the airport’s suffered more devastating fate. Virtually, airports deteriorated in every material particular. Port Harcourt was shut down for deterioratnt governors of Southeast and the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo for their unity of purpose in securing from President Buhari, the N10billion for the repair of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.”
