FEDERAL Government of Nigeria has approved the request for the construction of a new International Airport in Ebonyi State following a request by Governor David Umahi. David Umahi Minister for Aviation, Hadi Sirika conveyed the approval in a letter to Governor Umahi which was signed by the Director Safety and Technical Policy, Capt. T A Alkali on behalf of the Ministry. The Minister said the approval followed the visit of a Technical team from the ministry and its agencies to the state on inspection of the proposed site for the airport. The Minister said, “I am directed to convey approval of the Honourable Minister of Aviation for the construction of a state-owned/financed International Airport on the inspected site.” The Minister, however, noted that the approval is subject to the State Government’s fulfilment of certain requirements. He listed the requirements as: strict compliance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority requirements; compliance with all relevant environmental regulations, adherence to the provisions of the subsisting Civil Aviation Act 2006, Nigeria Civil Aviation Policy 2013 and other regulations that may evolve with time; and payment of statutory fees. Other requirements according to the Minister include: Issuance of Security Clearance fro the Department of State Services(DSS); removal of all obstructions on the site and involvement of the Ministry and its relevant agencies at every stage of the development of the airport to ensure compliance with Standards and Recommend Practices (SARPs). Chief Press Secretary to Governor Umahi, Emmanuel Uzor said “With the approval, all is now set for the smooth take-off of the construction of the airport. “The airport is to be sited in a big expanse of land at the boundary between Ezza South and Ezza North local government areas.” The approval comes at a time when the only International Airport in the Southeast, located in Enugu State was being shut down by the Federal Government. The Federal Government said it shut down the airport to effect repairs on its dilapidated infrastructure, most especially the runway. Despite playing host to two out of the top three market hubs in the country located in Aba, Abia State and Onitsha Anambra state, the Southeast has lacked adequate infrastructure to aid import and export of goods from the region. The new airport is expected to help in opening up the zone as well as neighbouring Cross River and the Venue States in the South-South and North-Central zones.

By Dennis Agbo