Following the upgrade on the runway of Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, Onueke Ezza South, the state government Thursday said flight operation would recommence in May 2024.
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi state disclosed this to Journalists through the state commissioner for aviation and transport technology, Mrs. Ngozi Obichukwu.
Mrs. Obichukwu while inspecting the level of work at the runway of the airport, stated how committed the Governor was in ensuring the state is launched in the world map of travelers.
She said, “We are making sure that the airways are safe, and the transporters that are using flight are equally safe. And that’s why immediately Chuba Okadigbo international airport commenced, we started flying, not only private flights, we were having international flights and then, domestic and commercial flights.
“They were all coming and going. But to a certain extent, we had a little challenge on the runway, where the airlines land and takes off. We discovered that the runway needed to be asphalted because the flight does not require the concrete that we used.
“That’s why the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, requested us to change the runway pattern of concrete to asphalt. And the runway is being asphalted now, and by the grace of God, governor Francis Nwifuru is desirous to put the airport in perfect use, and to make sure that Ebonyi is on the world map of travellers.
“We have finished scarification that will help to hold the asphalt. Technically, we are handling it. we thought that the project will be ready by August, but the way it is now, we are ready to start operation by May.
“We applaud the governor, Francis Nwifuru, who has made it possible for them to start. They have been paid only thirty percent of the payment based on the advance payment grantee. We make sure that the fund we release to them were guaranteed by a reputable bank and this has made them to kick off the project. And they are moving in a high pace, that we all are happy.
“When the runway is completed, the airport will be an economic hub, not only to Ebonyi state but to the entire south east region, so also, to Nigerians in diaspora. They will be accessing Nigeria through the Chuba Okadigbo’s international airport.
“We will allow Cameroon, Chad and other African countries to access Nigeria through Chuba Okadigbo’s international airport. we will equally allow them to use our cargo. we will be exporting goods and services, that are worth exporting through Chuba Okadigbo’s international airport.
“We are much concerned in getting the structures ready, so that we won’t have any problem. we are getting it right this time around, some of the things we omitted before, have been done right now.
“The Airport will soon before the end of this year, will start generating funds. The Internally generated revenue, IGR, that will be coming out from this airport, will make other states to be jealous of Ebonyi State.”
Also speaking, the sight engineer, Zubi Atta, noted that the asphalting work is at the first laying stage while the whole work would be through by May, 2024.
