By Francis Ogwo
The runway of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport currently under rehabilitation will be completed by August 30 and then reopened.
Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing newsmen shortly after inspecting the ongoing works at the airport while adding that the rainy season caused a major delay in the completion of the project.
On the inspection tour of the rehabilitation alongside the Minister was the Secretary to Enugu State Government, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, who represented Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt. Hamisu Rabiu Yadudu, the Enugu Airport Manager, Mrs. Cecilia Oguama, the Chairman, South East Governors’ Forum Airport Rehabilitation/Palliative Works Committee, Engr. Chris Okoye, the State Commissioner for Information, Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh, the Chairman, Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, Dr. Josef Umunnakwe Onoh, among others.
The Minister while expressing his satisfaction with the progress and quality of work so far assured that Enugu airport runway, on completion, would rank as one of the best in the country.
According to him, the Federal Government “wanted to make a very quick intervention in this procurement, to ensure that this once dilapidated runway was completely rehabilitated for safety,” while expressing regrets on the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the work as “the workers took to their heels to ensure they remain safe.”
He added that, “We are back to site and we have made tremendous progress. What is left is little. We have completed about 90-95 percent of the job (pavement wearing course of the runway). The perimeter fence and the road are ongoing and other works to ensure that this airport, including the airfield lighting, is delivered for day and night operations.
“You know we are now in the rainy season and just like COVID-19, the rainy season is also a monster in construction or procurement of this nature. But the contractor is doing extremely well, likewise the consultant. So, I am very happy at the rate at which they are going and I am very confident that this procurement will be delivered on the 30th of August 2020. This, of course, is with due consideration to the weather.”
In his concluding remarks, Sen. Sirika applauded the efforts of South East Governors in ensuring development of the area while reassuring the public that the airport will be delivered to standard for reopening as planned.
Recall that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had on August 17, 2019, shut down Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu for runway repairs with widespread reactions trailing it’s delay in rehabilitation.
