Governement desirous to take over Ebonyi airport
The Ebonyi State Government has said that the Federal Government is desirous to take over the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, which was commissioned in May 2023.
Dr. Ngozi Obichukwu, Commissioner for Aviation and Transport Technology, Ebonyi State, stated this on Tuesday at the ninth Airport Business Summit and Expo (ABSE), organised by the Nigeria Aviation (NIGAV), held at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.
Speaking to journalists on the side line of the event, Obichukwu, said the State Government had completed the resurfacing of the runway from concrete to asphalt to make it operational and more comfortable for airline operators.
The commissioner explained that while the State Government was willing to own the airport after completion, the Federal Government also wanted to take over the facility from it. She declared that the Federal and State governments were still negotiating on the modality for handing over the airport to it.
She, however, maintained that the State Government was ready to partner with the Federal Government on the operations of the airport.
She emphasised that the State Government was awaiting the approval of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for the re-opening of the airport for operations.
She said: “On the 30th July 2024, the runway was completed to even international standards. It is a runway that can now last for more than 100 years because of the base. We are only waiting for some approvals to commence flight services.
“The length of the runway is 3.1km with the capacity to accommodate even a Boeing 747 series. We can take about 1,000 passengers at a go. So, we are just expecting to take off immediately if the NCAA gives us the approval to commence operations.
“Right now, we are liaising with the Ministry of Aviation for the takeover of the airport and the refund of the expenses on the airport. We have gotten to a good stage where we are now handing over to them to take over even the staff.
“Even at that, we are still willing to carry on with the aviation activities. As we speak, aviation aeronautical university has kicked off and it’s just beside the airport and we are ready to go. By the grace of God, through the prudence management of our dear governor, we will be able to kick off until the Federal Government takes it over.”
The Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, which gulped about N42 billion, was conceived and constructed by the past administration in Ebonyi State. The airport was deemed completed and commissioned by the past administration of David Umahi who is now Minister of Works.
But flight operations which commenced after the completion stopped shortly after following the bad nature of its runway, which was constructed with concrete.
The present administration said it spent about N20 billion into the reconstruction of the airport runway with asphalt to make it operational.
Earlier, Mr. Fortune Idu, Founder and Convener of the summit, said that through the three days summit, all Nigerian airports, stakeholders, and industry clients would have the opportunity of business exchange, airport investment opportunity marketing and a lecture workshop designed to enrich participant knowledge of the compliance airport business climate.
Idu declared that ABSE was the only dedicated airport business gathering in Nigeria, modelled after Airport Council International (ACI), which focused on implementing the council’s reports, findings, and best practices in Nigeria to enhance airport performance in supporting air connectivity.
He said that this year’s summit: ‘Addressing Airport Viability as a Key to Successful Aviation Business Ambition,’ aligned with the aviation economic revamp plan of the present administration by improving revenue generation.
He said: “I am particularly impressed with the quality of the presentation received so far and I am looking forward to the presentations. I am also grateful for the support and encouragement the Managing Director of FAAN Mr Olubunmi Kuku has given to our campaign for airport financial liberalisation.
“This is a game-changing programme for airport managers and the first airport marketing contest, which is aimed at improving Nigeria’s airport business profile. The result of this programme will usher in a new era of airport management as the old set of the NAA staff who were the founders of the airport.”
