When the first international flight took off from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu on August 13, 2013, it was expected that four years later, the airport would be servicing at least three more international carriers.

This is because industry market analysts believe that the airlines would have international passengers from Aba, Enugu, Onitsha, Abakaliki, Nsukka, Owerri, Awka and other areas in the South East and South South zones of the country who would spend less than two hours to the airport and board their flights rather than travel about six hours to Abuja or Lagos to travel overseas.

Also there are heavy cargoes coming from mainly Asia, where many businessmen and women from the South East region import goods from and it would be easier to move such goods from Enugu than from Lagos or Abuja because of proximity advantage.

In fact, hauling goods from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport to cities in the South East is fraught with many challenges, including the loss or damage of such goods on transit, invasion by night marauders who most often maim and kill truck drivers on the highway, especially in the night.

But after the elation of that first flight by Ethiopia Airlines, which has continued to maintain that route, no other airline has started operation from the airport.

THISDAY spoke to the Manager of Enugu Airport, Mr. Mgbemene Orji, who explained why the airport has not attracted more international carriers, which also explained why even some local carriers are not operating the route despite passenger surge.
Orji explained that the airport cannot operate 24 hours because of structural deficiencies at the airport, but for now it could only operate from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm daily.

The Manager said there is no enough water for firefighting because it is difficult to dig borehole at the airport due to coal deposits. Currently the airport management buys water from tankers everyday but this is not enough to provide adequate fire cover for large body aircraft or higher number of aircraft traffic.

“Currently we are building overhead tank but it is nothing if we cannot source underground water, which will be in adequate supply to meet the fire cover needs,” Mgbemene said.

He also noted that there are no approach lights, which are usually located at the two ends of the runway, about four kilometers before the runway. These are lights that guide the aircraft to the runway, especially in the night.
“On one side of the approach to the runway, there is Orie Emene Market, which must be relocated so that the approach light can be installed. The other side of the approach is located at Abakpa Nike area of Enugu. The day FAAN engineers wanted to install lights at that area, the indigenes said they were not compensated for the land and therefore would not allow the installation”, he added.

The Airport Manager also disclosed that there are two masts, one owned by Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) and the other by the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) at the Abakpa Nike end of the runway. These masts obstruct flight approach, necessitating that immediately the aircraft takes off it must bank right to avoid collision with the masts. This makes flying to Enugu airport more difficult during the Harmattan.
But the Enugu State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ogbuagu Anikwe in reaction to the problems of the Enugu Airport said,

“The Enugu State government had never been approached by FAAN in relation to the foregoing issues. Besides, most of these concerns are actually not areas state governments can statutorily delve into.”
THISDAY learnt that more international airlines would be operating to Enugu if these obstacles were removed and the benefits of 24 hours flight operations to Enugu include more jobs for the citizens, the people travelling at their convenience and also more businesses coming to the city and environs.

FAAN believes that the Enugu State government could help to solve these problems because it would be of immense benefit to the state and its people when more airlines begin to fly to Enugu, popularly known as Coal City.
For example, Enugu stat government can settle the host community at the Abakpa Nike area so that the approach light can be installed by compensating them for the land even engage them to protect the installation and the state government can also relocate the Orie Market in Emene.

THISDAY gathered that Emirates, Qatar Airways and some international cargo airlines may indicate interest to operate from Enugu if thee safety critical equipment is installed.

“I am aware that there are plans by some cargo airlines to bring cargo from Dubai, Malaysia, China and other parts of Asia through the Enugu airport if the airport can operate for 24 hours. Most international airlines like to operate in the night to their hub so that they will start distributing passengers to their connecting flights in the morning. Night flights will really help the Enugu airport,” an official of FAAN told THISDAY in Lagos.
THISDAY also gathered that there is job to be completed on the Enugu airport runway by Julius Berger, which has been called back to site and work on the terminal building is yet to be completed.

“There is a subsisting contract on the runway and work on the terminal building so the Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has called the company back to site,” revealed the FAAN official in Lagos.

It is the view of many in the aviation industry stakeholders that the burden of managing the airports by FAAN has become cumbersome due to depleting revenue so state governments have been supporting the agency to maintain the airports located in their areas. So it is expected that the state governors in the South East, and especially the Governor of Enugu state should give support to Enugu airport to solve the aforementioned challenges so that the airport would improve its status to the benefit of the people of the zone and the state.

Source: https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/11/03/actualising-enugu-airports-intl-status/

Front Page: lalasticlala

Is FG not aware of all these problems?
These problems are not difficult for FG to solve.
Calling on state government of SE is like trying to shift the blame.

Stella Oduah should be blamed for the condition of the airport.

https://mobile.twitter.com/benmurraybruce/status/923527905321390080

All I see here is blames placed on the state government. what has the federal government done on their own part to solve this issues.

Why didn't Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria inform the state government all this while.


Now that the state government has being informed, the fat bum bum governor should

1) Remove The markets

2) Remove The mask of ESBS and NTA

3) The Governor should help connect the airport with a river or big stream nearby using 4 big engines water pump and massive water reservoirs near the airport.

4) The Governor should approach the governors of SE, Benue, Kogi , Delta, Cross River and Akwa Ibom for support since those states will also benefit.



If the governor fails to do all these before the end of 2017, he should be kicked out of power.

The state have to work hand in hand with FAAN to resolve these issues. The advantages are too huge to be ignored

bonechamberlain:
All I see here is blames placed on the state government. what has the federal government done on their own part to solve this issues.

The State governor must look beyond the Federal government the way late Sam Mbakwe of old IMO did.



He should approach the governors of SE , SS , Benue , Kogi and Taraba for support.

They must blame others.

I keep wondering why the Igbo elites and the SE govt cannot ensure the upgradement of that strategic airport.

Will this stop Igbo from blaming yorubas for using lagos to underdevelop them?

Enugu is not an isolated case if anyone is wondering. Issues like runway lighting and safety equipment are national issue. The NCAA are idiotic to let these slide when approving these airports. It just shows why these airports need to be concessioned ASAP.

It won't be well With Stella Odua and her cronies!!! She knew that this airport will be of a,great benefits yet she messed everything up. She had an opportunity to make Enugu airport an international hub but greed and corruption blinded their eyes to see the realities on ground. Billions wasted yet instead of having an airport she gave us a flood port and She is shamelessly in Senate chambers claiming to be making laws for us.
How I wished Ipob humiliated and abused her the way they did to Okorocha then because She made us loose a great opportunity to move Southeast economy to a step further.

EternalTruths:




The State governor must look beyond the Federal government the way late Sam Mbakwe of old IMO did.



He should approach the governors of SE , SS , Benue , Kogi and Taraba for support.

I get, but federal government can't be getting all the money and do nothing then expect the state government to perform with the meagre allocation they get. which is why the clamour for true federalism should be fought vigorously.

the airport is under the purview of the federal government and I am sure money for all those problems listed might have been budgeted for but embezzled by the usual thieves. if the federal government can't handle the airport then they should hand it over to the state. then we can now blame the state governments if they fail.

EternalTruths:




The State governor must look beyond the Federal government the way late Sam Mbakwe of old IMO did.



He should approach the governors of SE , SS , Benue , Kogi and Taraba for support.

Stella Odua should be blamed ist and foremost for messing up Enugu airport. She would have been remembered by now assuming she utilized the opportunity as an aviation minister to make Enugu airport a world class airport. The funds and,everything were there yet she misused everything. I think we igbo should start blaming some of these our leaders because they are the ones that put us into some of these mess

Tolexander:
[s]Stella Oduah should be blamed for the condition of the airport.

https://mobile.twitter.com/benmurraybruce/status/923527905321390080[/s]

Typical Afonja and their tribalistic reasoning

Lol all these threads devolve into Stella bashing. She's been out the door for awhile now. Why isn't anyone asking why NAAC trying to improve safety regulations. The state should also do its part since benefits would be immediate.

“The Enugu State government had never been approached by FAAN in relation to the foregoing issues. Besides, most of these concerns are actually not areas state governments can statutorily delve into.”

Hmm

EternalTruths:
Why didn't Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria inform the state government all this while.


Now that the state government has being informed, the fat bum bum governor should

1) Remove The markets

2) Remove The mask of ESBS and NTA

3) The Governor should help connect the airport with a river or big stream nearby using 4 big engines water pump and massive water reservoirs near the airport.

4) The Governor should approach the governors of SE, Benue, Kogi , Delta, Cross River and Akwa Ibom for support since those states will also benefit.



If the governor fails to do all these before the end of 2017, he should be kicked out of power.

Is the guy who didn't know what to do when Herdsmen were killing his people?

nice 2003 that OBJ was making promise, the Airport is stil having some very amateur problems...What a pity. The only tangible progress was made during GEJ time, and frankly that was one of the reasons he was booted or rigged out because another 4 year term that Airport would have been completed...

Spylord48:
It won't be well With Stella Odua and her cronies!!! She knew that this airport will be of a,great benefits yet she messed everything up. She had an opportunity to make Enugu airport an international hub but greed and corruption blinded their eyes to see the realities on ground. Billions wasted yet instead of having an airport she gave us a flood port and She is shamelessly in Senate chambers claiming to be making laws for us.
How I wished Ipob humiliated and abused her the way they did to Okorocha then because She made us loose a great opportunity to move Southeast economy to a step further.

They will not shame her like okorocha because she is PDP and GEJ ally.bunch of hypocrites.

what of Anyim pius Anyim? what of okonjo iweala?

some people are just stupid same people that was crying when Stella Odua was starting the project condemning and as busing her,because they feel south east font deserve international airport.

lol....No comment

It's weird this thread is pretty quiet. If it was about Osun maybe it would get more traffic. All the state would have to do to be better than most of the airport in Nigeria is have safety equipment, runway lighting and make sure airport runs 18 to 24hrs.

Front Page: Lalasticlala

Cjrane2:
When it's Kano or Kaduna airports involved, we immediately know it's a federal airport whereby revenues go to the federal government. Thus the federal government immediately rectifies the issues.

When it come to Enugu, we immediately call on southeast or Enugu state government to come and fix what the Federal government needs to do for it's airport. Meanwhile the same FG continues to collect revenues from the airport and does not want to concession the airport so that private sector can come in and invest in improving the airport.

These are some of the reasons why the story of Nigeria shall never be a story of success because it's a country drowning in favoritism and injustice.

Your federal reps, senators, and federal agency are all part of the government are part of the FG and it is their job to make sure they not only divert FG projects to your region but to also make sure all the FG institutions in your region looked after, this is what you sent them to Abuja to do.

You people act as if you don't have leaders at all or it's not your leader's job to do anything for you.

I bet one or 3 reps or senators from the SE are part of the Aviation committee.

Even sef, why can't your governors build their own airports like other state governors are doing instead of crying everyday. ?

deomelo:



Your federal reps, senators, and federal agency are all part of the government are part of the FG and it is their job to make sure they not only divert FG projects to your region but to also make sure all the FG institutions in your region looked after, this is what you sent them to Abuja to do.

You people act as if you don't have leaders at all or it's not your leader's job to do anything for you.

I bet one or 3 reps or senators from the SE are part of the Aviation committee.

Gbam you're correct. A SE rep not only sits on the committee but heads it in house of Representatives. They should call and email her their concerns.

Blue3k2:


Source: https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/11/03/actualising-enugu-airports-intl-status/

Front Page: lalasticlala

Im interested in this and have a simple message for Ibos.

Look what our daughter has done!

Akanu Ibiam International Seaport, Enugu.

Come and see what our daughter has done! Adandigbo, we are proud of you!

For bringing us this federal infrastructure we reward her with gratitude and put her in Senate to continue to bring more projects like this here.

Blue3k2:


Gbam you're correct. A SE rep not only sits on the committee but heads it in house of Representatives. They should call and email her their concerns.

Great find. It's just sad when these useless Igbos play the victim and blame the FG for everything befalling them, they are so ignorantly oblivious per the fact that their own sons and daughters, the people they send to Abuja are part of the same government.


They think FG means Buhari and Tinubu or even Aregbeshola.


Very sad.

...but they want to die and kill Argbeshola because instead of waiting for the FG or begging, he is building his own airport.



Sad people.

deomelo:
...but they want to die and kill Argbeshola because instead of waiting for the FG or begging, he is building his own airport.



Sad people.

You would think they use it as model for self-sufficiency.

Their problem is they are not an urban race. They have no clue how to erect cities and equip it with amenities. They wait on FG to build it for them.

If i were Buhari everytime they ask me for infrastructure i will direct them to the Yorubas, the builders of Empires and urban legends.

BabaRamota1980:
Come and see what our daughter has done! Adandigbo, we are proud of you!

For bringing us this federal infrastructure we reward her with gratitude and put her in Senate to continue to bring more projects like this here.

So, Oduah was the aviation minister and she did nothing.

Now this woman is the chairman of the aviation committee...lol

I know blaming other people outside their borders is part of the other people are marginalizing us narratives, but at what point do you start questioning your own worthless leaders?

If they are serious on rectifying infrastructure failures at the aiport, then Call PW Nigeria to rectify their shoddy job.

http://www.pwlimited.com/Page.aspx?SID=3&SSID=20