Nigeria @ 64: NCAA, FAN will soon permit Chuba Okadigbo airport to start flying- Obichukwu

By, Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki

Ebonyi State commissioner for Aviation and transport technology, Mrs Ngozi Obichukwu, has said that the state government led by Francis Nwifuru is engaging necessary authorities and regulatory agencies that will give Chuba Okadigbo airport permission to start flying.

Obichukwu made this known while speaking with newsmen shortly after the independence anniversary celebration of Nigeria at 64 and creation of Ebonyi State at 28, that took place at the governor’s office, centenary city Abakaliki capital of Ebonyi State.

She noted that the creation of Ebonyi State by the former head of state, late Sani Abachi brought greater development and progress to the people of the state.

“The birth of Ebonyi State has brought so many good dividends in the State. Ebonyi has been in Goodluck having good governors that their administrations have played for 28 years and I appreciate God for that. We are celebrating Economic development, social development, regional development, general administration and we are thankful to God and we appreciate Gov. Nwifuru.

“We are already engaging necessary authorities, regulations, and regulations that give us the permission. So right now, we have passed almost all their tests. We were waiting for the friction test and all the other tests that were needed and now by the Grace of God, we are getting through.

“I plead with Ebonyi people. Aviation is like a hospital, we are talking about safety of lives, it is not ordinary to buy and sell in the market so everything that needs to be done should be done in accurate regulations.

On the commencement of flight operation by the Chuba Okadigbo airport, Obichukwu said “it is the NCAA and FAN that will give an accurate date”.

Speaking on the amount spent by governor Francis Nwifuru on the rehabilitation of the Chuba Okadigbo’s airport, the commissioner said that it is not quantifiable and that there are other renovations going on at the airport.

“The runway cost N17 billion and we are happy that even the NCCA that came, applauded our Governor Nwifuru for a good job well done, after they measured the road , shoulder, everything around the runway was accurate and we are happy.

“So the funds spent are determined by the federal ministry of aviation quantity surveyors working on it. There are so many things that need to be done and we are hoping to get through it. On how to generate IGR, the commissioner said ” I am very sure of IGR. The airport is the catalyst to the economic development of any State.

“In the country we have 22 airport which 5 among them are international airports and Ebonyi is going to be one immediately we receive the license to start flying and looking at the strategy position of the airport, our catchment areas are not in doubt talk of ikom, Benue, kogi and Abia this are the areas we are hoping and is not only the human traffic we are talking of cargo airport in other to address the market flow of Ebonyi State.

“We are going to be linking with other countries and I have started receiving applications from Dubai so that they could be coming here to buy our produce and go back to their country. So the economic revival and boost cannot be emphasized once we commence flight operation” she stated.