Releases N1.7 billion for Intl Wing
Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu
The federal government on Monday lamented that the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu would not enjoy full international certification until the myriads of challenges constituting security threats at the airport are fully addressed.

The government specifically frowned at the activities of some individuals who had erected properties around the airport, insisting that such properties should be demolished immediately.

The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, who stated this after an inspection tour of facilities at the airport, said the federal government had already released N1.7billion for construction work to continue at the international wing of the airport, stressing that more money would be made available when the 2018 was released for completion work.

Explaining that government was determined to realise the completion of the airport in record time, the minister said full international flight would only commence with the removal and relocation of several property obstructing the runway, security and flight operations.

Some of the offending properties, according to him, are the multi-million naira Enugu Empower free trade zone, whose foundation was laid in 2016 by the state government; the Orie Emene market; television and radio stations masts, residential buildings as well as fencing of the airport.

Sirika, who lamented the level of encroachment at the Enugu airport, stated that the runway expansion which the incumbent administration embarked upon had been hampered by encroachment, stressing that “people willingly set up structures along the runways.

“Government decided to expand the runway from 2.5 kilometres to three km to accommodate more international flights and cargoes, but stopped midway because people built within 100 metres on the runway. We need to dam the river to enable us use the water to service the airport.

“The Orie market is a security threat. There is an abattoir in the market that attracts vultures which portends danger to flights. There is a road leading to the Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Radio Range (VOR) which is in terrible state. It functions 24 hours because it guides pilots in their flights.

“Without this, this airport cannot be operated. The road is 1.5 kilometres and we need to build it because it is impassible during the rainy season.”

http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/03/06/why-akanu-ibiam-airport-has-not-enjoyed-full-international-certification-by-minister/

Why they no talk this before they commenced work at the airport in the first place?

Is this not the same ploy the FG is using for the 2nd Niger bridge...where they now want to Area Impact analysis, first? Why wasn't this done before physical work started at the bridge site?

When will the devil leave the east to breath?