The Ebonyi airport in south-eastern Nigeria is expected to become operational by June 2022
In September 2019, Ebonyi State had obtained the approval of the federal government for the construction of an airport with international status. This is a boon to the economic potential of this mainly agricultural state in south-eastern Nigeria.
The construction site of the Ebonyi airport is progressing well and should be delivered on time. This is the commitment given by the government of the eponymous state, David Nweze Umahi (pictured left), on Thursday 20 January, during his tête-à-tête with Abuja with the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika (pictured right). Both parties are counting on a partial commissioning by the end of the first half of the year.
"Everything is coming together in the ongoing construction of the Ebonyi State International Airport. Governor Umahi - a master strategist - is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the massive airport becomes operational by the time he celebrates his 7th anniversary as governor of Ebonyi State on May 29, 2022," Francis Nwaze, the governor's spokesperson, said last November.
On Thursday 27 January, a delegation from the Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) visited the site to inspect it. "The governor told us that before the end of May or June, there will be the first operational flights here and we want to welcome that," said the team leader, Mr. Emmanuel Chukwu.
The platform, on which work officially started in June 2020, will have a runway of about 4km. It is located on the boundary of the Ezza South and North Local Government Areas. The project is worth over N1.8 billion ($4.3 million) in its first phase. It is the fourth airport in south-eastern Nigeria, along with those in Enugu, Imo and Anambra.
Its operationalisation will definitely open up the state to national and international investments, says Minister Sirika. It is expected that 7,000 direct jobs will be created during the construction and commissioning phase.
