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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.

Cjrane2:
Ask yourself, What prevents the FAAN from concessioning Enugu intl. airport as it plans to do with Kano,Abuja and PH airports?

It's all about keeping it and frustrating it to death through infrastructural neglect, while asking the state government that they don't give any penny for running the airport in their domain to come and repair what the FG should repair with the money it collects from the airport.

Blue3k:


They plan to concession all 22 airports. The enugu on falls under the next phase. Funny nobody interested in enugu airport they want to talk about Osun.

Cjrane2:


Can we ask ourselves why concession only 4 out of the 5 international airports?
Why deliberately leave out Enugu from the international airport being concessioned and not leave out Kano? Is Enugu still an international airport under Buhari regime?

Please explain.

Blue3k:


Your question is moot. The concession doesn't determine it's international status. Who know why they saved it for phase two. All that matters is its next. We don't even have time table for 1st concession.

Cjrane2:


Another silly attempt at deflection. You know a lot about this issue, so we know you are simply trying to deflect the obvious crude plan to de-internationalize Enugu international airport by the Buhari regime by not listing it as an international airport.

You know very well the plan was to first concession the international airports and then concession the domestic airports in phase 2.

Everyone in Nigeria knows there are 5 international airports roughly spread out by geo-political sub regions of Nigeria to ensure balance and ease of travel for all Nigerians no matter where they live.

However, when the list of international airports to be concessioned came out, it was only 4 of the 5 international airports that were listed. The question is then why? More importantly, the airport that was erroneously "omitted" (Enugu intl. ) was the one that received the least attention from the Buhari regime out of vendetta he had for the region for their pattern of voting in 2015

Blue3k:


You whine a lot. The all the airports are being concessioned. You're throwing a tantrum about being in phase 2. If your so concerned about it send your complaint to your rep that heads Aviation committee. You probably don't know you have representatives in government.

The plan started with only 2 airports that were approved then increased to four. The first two on list were Abuja and Lagos. Then it expended to four airports. After that we found out all 22 airports were going to be concessioned.

Cjrane2:



Bro, quit shifting the goal post and answer my question.

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.

Cjrane2:
By the way, stop showing me the picture of a lower House Chairman while forgetting the person pulling all the strings and vehemently campaigning for immediate closure of Enugu International airport without voting any funds whatsoever and setting a specific timeline to rectify whatever infrastructural lapse he claims.

Blue3k:


You must not know what goal shifting is. I gave you a time line of FEC approvals not whining conspiracies like you're giving. Enugu is in phase 2. If you want to throw a tantrum over when it's being concessioned fine do that.

I notice you ignore the fact your SE rep can help with issue. Have u caled to leave her a message yet? Reread the story the contractors have been called back to sire at enugu.

Cjrane2:


What has that lady law maker got to do with the criminal neglect of Enugu international airport under Buhari?

Is she the Minister of Aviation? NO!
Is she the Director of FAAN? No!
Is she the chairman of NCAA? NO!

Is she even the speaker of the House, or even Minority leader? NO!

Blue3k:


You're asking what the chairman of the aviation committee has to do with the airport. What kind of daft question is this? How are you in politics section and don't get point of oversight committee? It's her job to speak on issues and bring up these type if legislative issues to floor and contact those people you mentioned.

Cjrane2:




@bolded. For once you have spoken the truth!

Her job is to report to her colleagues who would refer the issue to another sub-committee to investigate the veracity of the decay. Then after 2 years of verifying the story, there is an election and the newly elected House members begins the drama all over because they want to use their own people to investigate the "state of airports" in Nigeria.

Cjrane2:


What has that lady lawmaker got to do with the criminal neglect of Enugu international airport under Buhari regime?

Is she the Minister of Aviation? NO!
Is she the Director of FAAN? No!
Is she the chairman of NCAA? NO!
Is she even the speaker of the House, or even Minority leader? NO!

You could have very well showed me the picture of an Igbo person working in Abuja airport and ask me why i didn't ask her to include Enugu when Abuja was being included. Silly joke!

Let me ask you,
Please, what can a useless report of Hose of Rep members do to reverse the state policy of criminal neglect of Enugu International airport?
Will her report write and cry as usual that Enugu International airport is criminally neglected and it may impact on safety of passengers using the airport...Including V.P Osinbajo who's plane can also crash while landing on the rough runway?

Nobody expects Buhari to do anything because he would rather build a brand new airport in Niger Republic than fix potholes on Enugu International airport runway. Meanwhile he is there shamelessly collecting taxes and revenue made by the airport, but would not invest a penny of that revenue in fixing any infrastructure there. Just know that nobody is God. He is only wasting his opportunity to do good and be remembered for it. So i'm glad he is wasting it because someday, all those things he refused to fix will be fixed.
[/size]

The Minister said government would carry out the resurfacing of the runways and taxiways at the Abuja, Enugu and Lagos airports.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201611180590.html

Blue3k:


You and these dumb conspiracies. Instead of talking to your representive you're going to rant about Buhari on nairaland. Did it take 2 years for upper house to recommend a second runway at Abuja. If FEC were to add it to phase one you would still cling to stupid conspiracy theory saying he's just doing it for 2019.

deomelo:
[s][/s]






[s]Obviously, they know they have to resurface the runway so stop crying and lying on the internet just because you hate Buhari and you want the world to know you hate Buhari.

You are not making sense or even trying to make sense or formulate any serious or logical thoughts about what you are making noise over, al you are interested in is the same ipob anti Buhari this and that hate and bitterness.


If you people are really desperate or think Buhari is your enemy and Nigeria is holding you back, why don't you just build your own airport like other states are doing? Shebi you are the riches, the most industrious, the smartest and so on and so on, but you can not do anything.

You know how to brag and beat chest that you are the alpha and omega, but you can not do the most basic thing for yourselves, all you do is beg beg and abuse people all over the place to do this and that for you?

Cjrane2:


@bolded. Sometimes, i am tempted to ignore hypocrites like you. Look at you asking me about how a facility in Abuja is treated versus a facility in Enugu? Even if Reps talk or not, Abuja runway will be built.

So, what has been the nucleus of our argument since? Is it not the criminal neglect of facilities in Enugu and southeast in particular by the Buhari regime, compared to how similar facilities are treated in other parts of Nigeria? So , why are you citing that a second runway will be built in Abuja, when we know it is not in the 5%ers part of Nigeria?

Blue3k:


Oh talk about shifting goal post I thought they had no power to speak or do anything. I guess when your not useless rep things get done. Kaduna only got fixed because they shut down Abuja and diverted flights there. If you feel situation hopefully shut up then. Your wailing even when you know they're going to concession airport. You won't call your rep either. They already called contractors back and your still whining.

Cjrane2:


Another shameless liar posting unrelated links.
See who is talking about doing things. Southeast is the only region of Nigeria where private people build their own community schools, provide electricity for themselves etc. Show me where it's done in northern Nigeria.

BTW, why is the north afraid of restructuring and devolution of powers? Because it hides under "One Nigeria" to give all the resources derived from other regions to the "Federal Government" and then use the federal government as the Northern Government providing infrastructure in the north and excluding the areas where the resources were derived.

Then try to divert attention by saying, why don't you ask your rich sons or impoverished state governments to build second Niger bridge etc. Please tell me any notable infrastructure built by Dangote or other rich northerners. Not minding that they are richer than all Ogbo and southern millionaires combined. Keep fooling yourselves.

deomelo:
[s]


Build your own airport, other states are building their own.

Build your own 2nd NB, other states are building their own bridges


All you losers know how to do is raise shoulder, beat chest and shout that you are the riches and you are better than everybody, but you are all of a sudden beggers and nobody when it's time to do the most basic things that others are doing on their own without crying, without begging and without insulting and abusing other people.

Losers[/s]..

Cjrane2:


A man who should be in a mental home does not deserve a dignified response

Cjrane2:


Dude,
You are deliberately moving in a circle trying to avoid the root of the issue which is the state policy to treat a part of Nigeria referred to as the 5%ers horribly. Kaduna is not Enugu! .....and you know it!!

Blue3k:


I'm not interested in tears. Talk about airport only. You know the contractors are returning and concession is next. You wont call your useless SE rep so shut up.

Cjrane2:


Please stop telling childish lies. You don't even know the contractor, but i know people who work in the company. PW group is NOT at Enugu airport.

I don't know why you guys find it convenient to always silly lie. Soon, it will be Julius Berger "has been ordered" to Enugu airport,

deomelo:


They did not bet, they did not insult or abuse the president, they went to work and built their own airport, unlike the sorry losers and ever beg beg beg Igbos..

deomelo:

Cjrane2:


Can we ask ourselves why hatch a plan to concession only 4 out of the 5 international airports?
Why deliberately leave out Enugu from the international airports list being concessioned and you didn't forget to leave out Kano from the list? Is Enugu still an international airport under Buhari regime?

Please explain.

Cjrane2:

Sometimes one wonders the IQ level of people here. it happens when you drink raw cow milk directly from the cow.

I will not list airports built and being built in Igboland. Suffice to say that apart from PH and Calabar airports, no airport in the former eastern region was built by the Federal Government. Although it has since annexed the facility and continues to collect revenue from them.

Unlike northern region where the Federal Government built Abuja,Bauchi,Sokoto,Yola,Jos,Maiduguri, Markurdi,, Minna, Zaria, and Kaduna (TWO airports). Please research who built Asaba airport, Uyo airport, Enugu airport and Owerri airport. Then come back and tell me about responsible state governments.