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Enugu airport is unsafe, South East governors warn

By Lawrence Njoku, Enugu
08 November 2018   |   4:12 am
Governors in the southeast zone have raised the alarm that Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu is not safe for passengers. While noting that it is not also secure for flight operations, they demanded urgent intervention by the Federal Government. Addressing a press conference in Enugu, Director General of the South-east Governors Forum (SEGF), Prof. Simon…

[File] Front view of the domestic wing of Akanu-Ibiam International Airport Enugu<br />PHOTO: LAWRENCE NJOKU

Governors in the southeast zone have raised the alarm that Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu is not safe for passengers.

While noting that it is not also secure for flight operations, they demanded urgent intervention by the Federal Government.

Addressing a press conference in Enugu, Director General of the South-east Governors Forum (SEGF), Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, implored the Federal Government to deal with the infrastructural decay at the airport.

They warned that the parlous state of the airport was a disaster waiting to happen.

The forum said: “The airport is not safe, as there are no runway lights, the tarmac is bumpy with potholes, while one of the buildings destroyed by storm over two years ago has become an eyesore. The cargo section of the airport is not functional.

“It is indeed, a shame that a whole region, as economically robust as southeast, does not have an airport that can land all categories of aircraft. The Federal Government should please come to our aid.”

The governors also appealed to the Federal Government to take seriously, the issue of second Niger Bridge.

They said the bridge, which arguably is the gateway to the eastern part of the country with business hubs of Onitsha, Nnewi and Aba among others; has become a political chessboard in the hands of politicians seeking Igbo votes.

“We have become aware that it was only in July 2018, that the contract for the second Niger Bridge project was signed, despite the fact that, the first foundation laying ceremony was done in 2013.

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