Government of Nigeria has approved the request for the construction of a new International
Airport in Ebonyi State.
Although the airport may displace about five communities in Ezza south and north council area
the host local government, the approval for the airport followed a request by the state government led by Engr. David Umahi.
Minister for Aviation, Hadi Sirika conveyed the approval in a letter to Governor David Umahi
after his visit to the aviation ministry on Thursday August 5th, 2019.
In a letter signed by the Director Safety and Technical Policy, Capt T A Alkali of the Ministry, the
Minister said the approval followed the visit of a Technical team from the ministry and its
agencies to the state on inspection of the proposed site for the airport.
The letter read, "I am directed to convey approval oftye Honourable Minister of Aviation for the construction of a state owned/financed International Airport on the inspected site", he wrote.
He noted that the approval is subject to the State Government's fulfillment of certain requirements for an airport development.
He listed the requirements as: "strict compliance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority requirements; compliance with all relevant environmental regulations, adherance to the provisions of the subsisting Civil Aviation Act 2006, Nigeria Civil Aviation Policy 2013 and other regulations that may evolve with time; and payment of statutory fees.
" Issuance of Security Clearance fro the Department of State Services(DSS); removal of all
obstructions on the site and involvement of the Ministry and its relevant agencies at every stage of the development of the airport to ensure compliance with Standards and Recommend Practices
(SARPs).
The airport when completed, will play host to two out of the top three market hubs in the country located in Aba, Abia State and Onitsha Anambra state, as Southeast had lacked adequate
infrastructure to aid import and export of goods from the region.
The new airport is expected to help in opening up the zone as well as neighbouring Cross River
and Venue States in the South-South and North-Central zones.
It will be sighted in a boundary between Ezza south and Ezza north.#
