Sunday 19 May 2013

SE region stands still, as Jonathan commissions Akanu Ibiam Airport Enugu

Aviation Nigeria
by Alkasim Abdulkadir


All roads led to Enugu state Saturday 18 May, 2013 to commission the Akanu Ibiam reconstructed Airport Terminal and also to lay the foundation of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport. The dual ceremony was performed by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

While laying the foundation the president was assisted by the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Managing Director, FAAN, MR. George Uriesi and Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha

President Goodluck Jonathan while commissioning the airport terminal expressed his elation at the turnaround witnessed at the terminal. He also stated that the airport will improve economic activities in the entire region. The Minister of Aviation Princess Stella Oduah in her speech at the occasion said

“The new international terminal with a total floor area of 25,000 square meters and the capacity to handle 500,000 passengers per annum will cost 13.3 billion naira and will be completed in 24 months.

“The 5 terminals across the country are not the only elements of this transformation process; even  before starting these 5 new projects we started remodelling all 22 current terminals in FAAN network in fact next week we will witness the commissioning of Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport Owerri Terminal and the Yola Airport Terminal.

She also added that the aviation industry remain pivotal to the socio-economic development of our country as it is supposed to be and as we proclaim in our vision and the will to do what it takes to deliver.

Several dignitaries graced the occasion serving ministers from the South Eastern region who were on the entourage of the president; they were received by the governors and hosted by Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State. Amongst the dignitaries was Nigeria’s former Vice President in the second republic Chief Alex Ekwueme.

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