THE Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has said the Federal Government spent N10 billion for the rehabilitation of the runway and some associated works at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu
He made the disclosure on Sunday during the official opening of the airport in Enugu.
According to him, the project consist of taxiway, linkway, emergency operation centre, car park, entrance of the gate, perimeter fence, perimeter road, terminal building rehabilitation, pilot lounge, instrument landing system that will allow landing duriing bad weather, including communication device, new DHF radio, rescue equipment, among others.
He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for approving funds for the renovation of the airport stating that domestic flight would start immediately while the international flight would begin on September 5.
“It is a great pleasure for me to be in Enugu for this August occasion in the mount of August for the reopening of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu for flight operations.
“The local flight can come to start from today and the international flight on September 5, once the COVID-19 Presidential Task Force has opened the gate to come in.
“We are proud to say that this project is indeed a testimony to Mr President’s commitment to infrastructure development in the country.
“You may recall that the runway of this essential airport, which is vital to economic development of the region and the whole country at large, was in a very dilapidated stage and worse condition.
“This raised serious safety concern. It was on this basis that I approached President Muhammadu Buhari on the urgent need to reconstruct the runway and other associated works,” he said.
Chairman Senate Committee on Aviation, Sen. Smart Adeyemi, the Director-General, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), among other personalities were at the ceremony.
