FG – Enugu airport reopens on August 30

The runway of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu has been certified to be ready for use by August 30, 2020. This was announced by the Federal government.

Through the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the government closed the airport for the rehabilitation of its runway and the provision of airfield lighting.

The minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, while speaking at the facility on Tuesday, said that the construction work has been completed by about 95%.

The minister revealed in his address at the airport, that the initial plan was to complete the project earlier than August 2020. He said,

“We came here and wanted to make a very quick intervention in this procurement, to ensure that this once dilapidated, completely broken runway that was a threat to the safety of our operations is dealt with.

We were on course; unfortunately COVID-19 came and the workers took to their heels.

But we are back on site now. We’ve made tremendous progress and I will say we are about 90 to 95 per cent completing this job.”

Sirika disclosed that apart from the runway, the government was working towards delivering airfield lightings at the airport.

He expressed happiness with the progress of the runway construction, while citing the rainy season and the effects of COVID-19 as impediments to the work. He said,

“I am very confident that this procurement will be delivered on the 30th of August 2020.”

Sirika said that the government would be setting up other facilities capable of generating economic activities around the city of Enugu.

“This include the cargo terminal that we are about to start and finish within the life of this administration.

Also, the terminal, which you call the Chinese terminal is about 60 per cent completed, and it will be delivered,” he said.