President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday approved the request of South East leaders for a speedy completion of repairs at Enugu International Airport.
The President consequntly directed the release of N10 billion for the airport upgrade.
The Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, the only international gateway in the Southeast region, was closed 55 days ago and had been a major concern in the region, which air travellers were groaning under the pain of the closure.
Buhari said he “is aware of the central nature of the airport”, which was closed for repairs since August 24,
Buhari announced the approval on his twitter handle after meeting with South-East Leaders on Thursday at the State House Council Chambers in Abuja.
The leaders had demanded special Federal Government intervention for the speedy completion of the airport and rehabilitation of federal roads in the region.
Muhammadu Buhari✔@MBuhari
I have approved the sum of 10 billion Naira for an Intervention fund for the upgrade of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. I have the assurance of the Minister of Aviation that the work will be done speedily and to the highest standards.
The Chairman southeast governors forum and leader of the delegation Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State made the request during the meeting with the president.
The leaders also demanded a state of emergency to be declared on the roads in the South East.
The meeting later entered into a closed-door session.
Also in the State House for a meeting with the president were governors of the South-South region. They include Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa and Ifeanyi Okowa.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had last month commenced the rehabilitation of the runway at the airport.
General Manager, Corporate Affairs of FAAN, Henrietta Yakubu had confirmed the development to newsmen in Lagos.
FAAN had on August 24 announced the closure of the airport for the reconstruction of its runway.
Yakubu told reporters that work has finally began at the airport ahead of the December 2019 deadline set for the completion of the runway repairs and other renovation works.
The Enugu airport also known as Akanu Ibiam International Airport is an airport serving Enugu, the capital city of Enugu State of Nigeria, and nearby cities, such as Abakaliki, Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Afikpo, Okigwe, Nsukka, Ugep, Orlu, Idah, Otukpo and Ogoja. The airport is named after the late Akanu Ibiam (1906–1995), a medical doctor and statesman who hailed from Afikpo in Ebonyi State.
It is the only international airport in the South East region.
The airport was closed on February 10, 2010, by FAAN for the first phase of major renovation and expansion works. The airport was re-opened on 16 December 2010.
