Honorable Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika wishes to acknowledge steps taken by the Enugu State government in a bid to improve safety at the Akanu Ibiam international Airport ( Enugu).

"We are happy to see that the Enugu state government has seen reason with the Ministry to address safety concerns raised.

We are appreciative that in the name of safety, Enugu State Executive Council approved the immediate closure of Orie Emene Market (abattoir inclusive) to forestall any tragedy at the Airport.

We are also happy that the
Council also ordered immediate removal of all illegal structures encroaching on the land of the Airport, radio mast of the state broadcasting service, and Free Trade Zone.


We, however, would be extremely comfortable if compliance with the above directives from the state government are carried out as soon as possible to give us necessary allowance to carry out repairs as well as expansion and extension of the Runway.

All these will better the lot of the Enugu Airport and improve safety a hundred fold.

redsocks:
True. I am just leaving there. Serious evacuations going on. Monday is the deadline. The Nigerian Army was there to begin enforcement. Confirmed rumour has it that the airplane conveying South Eastern Governors and Senators nearly crash landed at the abbatoir few days ago. Thos was what prompted this long overdue action.
I tell you, when an airplane is on its way to descend at the airport, you at orie emene can just reach out and touch the bottom of the plane. Its that scarily close Finally this local but vast market is being removed.
But i will miss that market

ogawisdom:


Hope the market will be relocated and not just shut down

eunisam:
That airport dey close to Adoration ministry, make una know wetin una dey plan

MaNyEsq:
Why should it take the threat of the Federal Government downgrading and shutting down Enugu International Airport for the state government to get their freaking acts together? It's a shame that the government and people of Enugu state are so blind that they do not see the risk posed by having commercial activities going on that close to the airport. Besides not being safe health-wise for those traders because of the constant noise and in case there is a mishap but it is definitely not aesthetically pleasing to the sensibility of any reasonable person to have shanty stalls right by the airport.

For most visitors to any country, the airport is their first and last contact with the country and if the country fails to make a good impression, that remains indelible in the mind of the visitor. In civilized societies, airports are usually in "no man's" land far away from human dwellings and commercial activities. I hope this would serve as a teaching moment not just for the government and people of Enugu state but Nigerians as a whole. It's not always about making money...you do not destroy the beauty of an area or a neighborhood just to make a buck.