₦airaland Forum

SlayerForever:
Who cares if the North has an airport per square inch. The fact remains that an airport in Anambra, especially a cargo one, makes a whole lot of sense. As opposed to your argument. Funny you're fixated on this Anambra airport when the one in Ebonyi makes little sense and looks more like an ego thing.

Obi1kenobi:
Ebonyi's airport is a very dumb, vanity project. But last I checked, this thread is about Anambra and not Ebonyi.

Rocksvibes234:
Currently Nigeria has 31 airports. Twenty six of them are operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).


The others are run by State Governments that own them. There are also a number of airstrips and airfields owned by either the Nigerian Airforce or multi-national oil companies. A lot of pride and pleasure can ooze from these numbers.

These numbers say that Nigeria’s aviation industry has taken off and is flying high. Not true. These numbers can lie to us if we only listen to the pilot’s alluring voice that tells us that we will be cruising at 31, 000 feet above sea level. On the ground the airports are not cruising. Only four of them seem to be smiling to the bank: Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano and Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.

The rest are barely surviving. The reasons that have helped the big four to thrive are high passenger traffic, location in towns that have strong business enterprises and their access to non-aeronautical revenue. The ones that are finding it difficult to breathe are disadvantaged on those three grounds. Despite this dire situation some state governments have just built (Bayelsa) or are building (Anambra) or are planning to build (Ekiti) their own airports. Not too long ago FAAN had to withdraw its services from Gombe and Kebbi airports over their failure to pay security and fire cover charges which were said to run into millions of naira.

As Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State started to build a state-funded airport in Umueri, near Onitsha and Awka the state capital, some analysts have queried whether or not an airport near Awka was a desideratum and whether it is sustainable. Awka is 60 kilometres from Enugu and 42 kilometres from Asaba where there are airports already. The proximity to the two airports would ordinarily prescribe that the Anambra State Government invests its money in something else. Week ago Chief Obiano, invited a number of people from Anambra and beyond to come and take a peep into the airport he is building. We spent hours inspecting the vast airport where five contracting companies are working feverishly to deliver the airport for use in April next year.

The airport has a 3.7 kilometre runway with extra metres dubed the free zone, an 11-storey control tower, two taxi ways leading to the apron and more than 400 persons capacity terminal building erected on three floors. We were told that the runway is constructed in such a way that an aircraft can land from either side. The runway lighting is CAT II which will enable an aircraft to land even in the worst weather condition. Besides, the airport is conceived largely as a cargo airport even though it will also carry passengers. Airpeace Airline is negotiating to build a hanger at the facility for the servicing of aircraft. Chief Obiano is optimistic that the airport will, unlike several other airports, thrive because of the entrepreneurial acumen of industrialists who form what is known as the ONA industrial complex (Onitsha-Nnewi-Awka). Onitsha has the largest market in West Africa. Nnewi is famous for its automobile cluster of which the famous Innoson Automobiles owned by Mr Innocent Chukwuma is a well known example. Nnewi also has many manufacturing industries such as the Ibeto Group, Coscharis Group, Omata Holdings, Chicason Group etc.

The estimate is that Nnewi town alone controls about 80% of the motor parts and motorcycle parts market in Nigeria. They are experts in adapting foreign technology to local needs. So Nnewi is also the headquarters of fabrication which is nicknamed the Taiwan of Nigeria. The industrial triangle is completed by Awka, which provides the third leg. Chinua Achebe said this of Awka: “Awka has a certain kind of aura about it because it was the place of the blacksmiths that created implements which made Agriculture possible.”

Now Awka has added to its persona the aura and clout of the capital of a state that has come to be known as the “Light of the Nation.” It has at least 15 three-star hotels and is ranked at number 14 in internally generated revenue. The State also boasts of the Agulu lake crocodiles and the world famous Ogbunike caves which is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Igbo Ukwa Museum which is filled with fantastic ancient metal crafts and bronze artifacts is a major tourist attraction too. I was told there is a group of ultra-rich Anambrarians who have formed a club called Club 100. The membership of this club is defined by their wealth and their desire to be their brother’s keepers. Every week they troop into Anambra from wherever they are to support and fraternise with their club members who are either wedding or burying someone or taking a chieftaincy title. Each of them donates a mandatory one million naira to the celebrant.


That means that the celebrant has the sum of 100 million naira for his ceremony. If you needed any evidence that Anambrarians are rolling in opulence this is it. Anambra’s land space is occupied by several billionaires per square metre. Is that an exaggeration? Take a trip there. The opulence is there, poking its fingers into your eyes. Chief Obiano, with a degree in Accountancy and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Lagos has an affinity with figures. As a former banker he knows a thing or two about how businesses can succeed or fail. He says that his airport project will be a success. This optimism may give Anambrarians the assurance that he must have crunched the numbers. The State’s Commissioner of Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C. Don Adinubi shares the Governor’s sunny optimism about the airport project. C. Don, as he is popularly known, says that what will make the Umueri airport project successful is the fact that the private sector will be fully integrated into the project. If that happens then the airport has a bigger chance for success than some of the airports that now operate only on a single revenue stream: aeuronautical revenue. The thinking around the establishment of Umueri airport seems right because Anambra has a vibrant manufacturing, export and import and industrial complex.

Obi1kenobi:
It's a standard all-purpose airport. The "cargo airport" does not make any sense. Air freight is extremely expensive compared to standard shipping and truck transportation. Nobody will be transporting agro produce, textiles, cosmetics, auto parts etc with FedEx or DHL. I can assure you the overwhelming majority of importers will wait for months to clear their goods at the ports before attempting air freight. It won't bring down any cost of imported goods.

post=97032831:
Do you know that phones, computers, parts, accessories and others come through airport cargo, have you ask your self why most phone and computer dealers in Onitsha,Nnewi and other Igbo cities still go to Lagos for their goods unlike motor parts, building materials, clothes and others our people import through cargo container to east, I guess you most have watch video and see the stress our people go through to move their agro products for export to Lagos.

post=97032831:
Do you know that phones, computers, parts, accessories and others come through airport cargo, have you ask your self why most phone and computer dealers in Onitsha,Nnewi and other Igbo cities still go to Lagos for their goods unlike motor parts, building materials, clothes and others our people import through cargo container to east, I guess you most have watch video and see the stress our people go through to move their agro products for export to Lagos.

Afam4eva:
The fact that it makes more economic sense to build airports in east than the north does not mean it should be built. Are you competing with the north on who can build ore airports or you're building airports because you absolutely need it? Think about the east and stop thinking about the north.

IkpuMmadu:
This imo man... You are worried that it would take of the shine off Imo...

TEDHorsePower:
Another trash from a disgusting disgruntled hopeless frustrated old man.


[s][/s]

Maduawuchukwu:
Lack of an airport in Anambra is not what is pushing then to import through Lagos. If it was, the traders would have directed their air cargo to land at Enugu which is far far nearer to Anambra than Lagos and has an international airport which can bring goods from outside.

IkpuMmadu:
This imo man... You are worried that it would take of the shine off Imo...

ChimaAdeoye:
GBAM!

You hit the nail on its head! Tell me any state in the southeast that deserves an airport more than Anambra? Worst still, they don't condemn the Abakaliki airport at all. WHY?? it clearly reveals their mindset and nefarious intentions. They think Anambra Int. cargo airport will be viable, but they don't think Ebonyi airport will be viable to threaten the airports in their own state.

Ndi ala!

post=97035179:
Enugu airport isn't Cargo airport, airbus or other big aircraft for cargo yet to land in Enugu, I believe since Air peace have gotten the licence to fly to China, Dubai etc he can easily deploy his large aircraft like 777 which he promised that it will land on the commissioning day, he will use Anambra airport as regional hub for cargos we have capacity, same as Air peace we don't need to beg any airline since we have son of the soil with the interest to lead the pack

Maduawuchukwu:
The airport in Imo state which is near Anambra is a cargo airport. Why is it not in use

Maduawuchukwu:
The airport in Imo state which is near Anambra is a cargo airport. Why is it not in use

Maduawuchukwu:
The airport in Imo state which is near Anambra is a cargo airport. Why is it not in use

IGBOSON1:
Take that up with the visionless Imo State gov’t! Why should Anambras’ fortunes and economic progress be dependent on the gov’t of another state?

The only time all this una negative arguments would be tenable is if we had a centralised regional gov’t like we had with the East Central State! But that’s not the present reality is it?

Bkayyy:
I don't understand the argument from other states.
Is there any negative impact the Airport will have on Anambra or are you people just being selfish?

hammerDK:
MY INTEREST IS DAT THE AIRPORT IS PURPOSE BUILT AND TO WORLD CLASS STANDARD.


I DONT MIND IF THEY BUILD THEIR TERMINAL BUILDING, BUT MAKE PLANS FOR THE GRADUAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE ORIGINAL PROJECT PLAN.


ALSO, THE AVIATION FUEL AND MAINTENANCE HANGER MUST BE INCORPORATED INTO THE SITE FOR PURPOSE.

Bkayyy:
Which month did they say they will complete it again?

hammerDK:
COMPLETION IS NOT POSSIBLE, THEY KNOW IT AND WE KNOW IT.

IN 17 DAYS TIME, WE ENTER 2021.

Bkayyy:
So Obiano might lose the full glory of being the one that brought about the Airport.
I pity him

Obi1kenobi:
It's a standard all-purpose airport. The "cargo airport" does not make any sense. Air freight is extremely expensive compared to standard shipping and truck transportation. Nobody will be transporting agro produce, textiles, cosmetics, auto parts etc with FedEx or DHL. I can assure you the overwhelming majority of importers will wait for months to clear their goods at the ports before attempting air freight. It won't bring down any cost of imported goods.

Bkayyy:
So Obiano might lose the full glory of being the one that brought about the Airport.
I pity him

Cjrane2:
Why isn't Afam4eva arguing that since there is an International airport in Port Harcourt which is less than 2 hours away from Enugu on an expressway, there is absolutely no need for another international airport in Enugu. Instead use the money for building Enugu airport and repair the Enugu - PH expressway so that the journey might be shortened to even 1 hour drive. If you ask that, their argument will suddenly change direction! This is why Igbo pipul are the butt of jokes in Nigeria. They only think about their personal aggrandizement and not the overall good of the region.

I am an Ogwashi man, but i don't feel an airport in Anambra will in anyway threaten or cause the closure of Asaba airport. They have different routes to focus on and different functions to meet. If anything at all, it increases the accessibility of Asaba by air. The same way some of you argued that Asaba airport will cause the closure of Enugu and Owerri airports if allowed to operate. I am still waiting for the day they will say Owerri airport has been shut down because of Asaba airport!

Again, i ask, which state in the southeast deserves and desperately requires an airport to facilitate economic development of the region and Nigeria? Meanwhile, the same pipul losing sleep over Anambra have not extended the same silly argument to Ebonyi airport!

Silly pipul.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1Kt96NLhIs

hammerDK:
MY INTEREST IS DAT THE AIRPORT IS PURPOSE BUILT AND TO WORLD CLASS STANDARD.


I DONT MIND IF THEY BUILD THEIR TERMINAL BUILDING, BUT MAKE PLANS FOR THE GRADUAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE ORIGINAL PROJECT PLAN.


ALSO, THE AVIATION FUEL AND MAINTENANCE HANGER MUST BE INCORPORATED INTO THE SITE FOR PURPOSE.

IkpuMmadu:
Lord bless you... This is why we Anambra and Anioma especially Enuani think alike and inter marry.... We are cousins and we look at things from the same page

I am an Nnewi man marrying an Anioma lady , many of us in Anambra are more comfortable marrying from Anioma in short we prefer marrying Asaba, Illah, Ogwashi, Ubulu , Ukwuani etc people due to cultural similarity

Look at the way you analyse it.... Lord bless you