The
Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, has announced that he spent over
thirty-six billion
naira to build an international airport located in Onueke,
Ezza South LGA. This airport, which was named after President Muhammadu Buhari,
will be inaugurated in the first week of May 2023 by the President.
During
a flight test that took place at the Onueke airport, Governor Umahi addressed
stakeholders of the state and the delegation of the Federal Ministry of
Aviation, sharing his satisfaction on the completion of the project. He also
disclosed that over 400 citizens of Ebonyi State were employed as staff of the
airport.
Governor
Umahi added that he is ready to hand over the airport to the federal government
to run, as the state government can’t manage the airport. The governor also
expressed his hope that the airport would facilitate the economic development
of the state and improve transportation to the region.
During
the flight test, two Air Peace Hopper airlines, No. 5N-BXF and No. 5-BUY,
landed at the airport carrying over one hundred passengers from Lagos and
Abuja.
The
director of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), who was represented by General
Manager, Aerodrome Services, Mr Oladipo Adebayo, applauded the Ebonyi State
Government for using high-standard equipment to construct the airport. He
described the airport as the best of all the airports in Nigeria, and added
that with such quality materials used, the airport will stand the test of time.
The
construction of the airport is expected to boost tourism and commerce in the
state, and create employment opportunities for residents. The airport is also
expected to improve transportation to the region and make Ebonyi State more
accessible to travelers from other parts of Nigeria and the world.
