Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation has called on investors from the southeast regions to seize the opportunity of participating in the concession of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu when the federal government is ready.
Speaking during the re-opening of Enugu airport on Sunday, Sirika stated that the airport had been upgraded to international standards, and very soon high-end airlines will be taking off and landing in 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 policymaker and I look at the haves and the have nots.
“It will cost an average businessman 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.
“In the next few days, most flights will commence. Ethiopian Airlines and many other airlines that receive approval to come here will come here,” Sirika said.
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He thanked Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the governor of Enugu State for his support in ensuring the market, abattoir, and free trade zones obstructing the work were removed for safety reasons.
“I also thank the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for performing their duties and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN) for giving the project all the attention it deserves.
“FAAN management has been given the mandate to ensure that periodic maintenance is carried out on this airport diligently so that we will not have to go through a painful experience of closure again. May I ask the government and people in this region to increase their commitment by using this airport to the fullest of its capacity. This airport will be placed in concession to ensure value for money,” the minister said.
Recalled that on August 24, 2019, FAAN closed the airport for major repairs on the airfield.
This move the authority stated was aimed at resolving the safety and security concerns to flight operations.
However, experts have said the reopening of the airport which was coming a few days before the resumption of the international flight was a step in the right direction.
The first airline, Air Peace arrived at the airport at 1.40 pm carrying several House of Assembly and Senate members. Some of these dignitaries include Adeyemi Smart, senator representing Kogi West; Chris Ngige, Minister for Labour and Employment; Geoffrey Jideofor Kwusike Onyeama, Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Ike Ekweremadu, former deputy senate president.
For one year, airlines have had to divert flights from Enugu to Port Harcourt, Owerri, and Asaba airports, following the closure of the airport.
Fifty-four days after the closure of Enugu state, President Muhammad Buhari approved N10bn for repairs of the airport.
Enugu airport is the sixth busiest airport in Nigeria after Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Owerri. In 2018 the Enugu airport processed an average of 273,000 local passengers and 41,000 international passengers.
“We are so happy that the federal government has completed the repair works and upgrade at the airport. Now, the airport is open for flights to take off and land, we will see economic activities returning to the airport.
“For one year, we have been at home waiting for the airport to reopen. We are so happy the airport is operating again,” a staff at the airport who craved anonymity told BusinessDay.
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