Ebonyi govt. announces temporary halt on fight lifting

….says it wants to hook-up Airfield lighting to electricity 

By Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki 

Ebonyi State government on Thursday announced its temporary halt on flight lifting at the Chuba Okadigbo international airport to enable it  complete the installation and hooking up of airfield lighting to powerhouse at the runway.

The government said it has recorded over seventy five commercial and chat flight lifting within three months, it commenced full operations.

The commissioner for Aviation and transport technology, Mrs Ngozi Obichukwu who announced this, shortly after inspecting the ongoing installation of the Airfield lighting at the runway, emphasized that the halt in flight lifting is within a few weeks.

She inferred that the installation and hooking up of the Airfield lighting to powerhouse when energized, will boost flight operations at the airport and that aircrafts will be landing and taking off both in the night and cloudy weather.

Obichukwu, however applauded the unwavering support and commitment of the governor, Francis Nwifuru in ensuring that all required modern technology/ equipment are installed in the airport, to enable it meet up with international best standards.

“We have completed the runway traffic lights.This runway traffic lights,If you have been to the airport, you will see,when you are landing either in the night or when the weather is somehow cloudy, it guards the pilots to land or to take off.

“So, the whole thing is now completed for the 3.1 kilometer runway.Now, because we want to hook up to the electrical appliances,a powerhouse that will power the lights.We now say aircraft should suspend for now until we complete the hookup. Because we can’t be hooking up when flights are coming down. 

“We want to temporarily hold-on on flight lifting, to enable us to hook up properly to the power chambers. The suspension is very, very temporary. May not last up to three weeks and we resume our normal flight. And we appreciate the fact that we have had so many customers from Ogeb, Obubra,Itigidi, Boki, who pass through here.

“Okigwe and all the environs and other parts of Abia,they come here to board flights. And those of them that come from Lagos and Abuja, they have testified. Even the NCAA, they are equally testifying that we have done well in terms of passenger lifting.

She however announced the engagement of professional security operatives to be patrolling along the runway and other places at night to prevent intruders and criminals from invading the airport to cart away valuable modern properties that are worth billions of naira.

Obichukwu added that the ministry of Aviation and transport technology through the efforts of the governor, Francis Nwifuru has enhanced security of lives and properties at the airport, and however, warned criminals to stay away from the airport or face the wrath of the state government.

“Our dear governor, Francis Nwifuru has engaged the services of professional security operatives; the military, police, other security outfits and also the airport guards.

The guards are retired military men engaged to ensure more security provision in the international airport.And these guards are doing marvelously well.Some of them are from Benue State, Kogi State and Cross River State.

The commissioner also announced the establishment Of jet A1 bowser, with twelve thousand capacity for the refilling of aircrafts at the Chuba Okadigbo international Airport Onueke, Ezza South LGA.

“We are happy to inform you that this particular project has been done and completed. It’s for refilling aircrafts, especially those that may have shortage of fuel, they will quickly be refilled here. This project will last for many years but for now, we are having it for six months and it’s renewable. It is constantly here and the aviation oil are all here” she stressed

In their separate reactions, Ani Emmanuel, a director in stern energy said: “this is a heavy duty bowser with 12,000 capacity for aircraft fueling. It is a needy thing for the aircraft. We are on contract and it is renewable” he stated.

Also, Uchenna Christian, an expert in airfield light installation said: “We have completed the installation of the runway traffic lights, and these are the control panels that will power the Airfield lighting system. We call it constant current regulators. They are ready, and all we are doing is to tidy up and do all our connections and energize it. 

“No runway in Nigeria as of today, has this type of precisional light indicator. 

You can see men on ground working on the runway to connect the airfield lighting system, and as such, We can’t compromise safety, and that’s why flight lifting is suspended temporarily, to enable us complete and install these facilities. Just few weeks, we will be done” he stated.