Anambra state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, on Saturday declared open the Anambra International Cargo/Passenger Airport, Umueri.
The commissioning of newly built airport by Governor was saddled with controversies over the allegation that pressure was on the federal authorities to stop the inauguration as against the speculation that commercial flights would land during the inauguration, no aircraft landed.
The governor said he is fulfilled establishing the airport after more than 30 years of Anambra existence. He appealed to Ndi Anambra to fully support the operations of the airport to make it viable.
“Since the creation of Anambra, previous administrations have tried to build the airport, but we thank God that we were able to achieve the project,” he said
Gov. Obiano who performed the inauguration at Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area, said that five airlines have been approved to commence operation at the airport. The airlines are; Air Peace Nigeria, United Nigeria Airline, Dana Airline, Ibom Airline, and Anab Jet.
According to Obiano, the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr Musa Nuhu had already handed in the certificate of commercial flights operations.
He stressed that the approved airlines must have their counters on ground before take off.
The state Commissioner for Works, Mr. Marcel Ifejiofor stated that the airport took a period of 15 months to build and that the Airport has the best of facilities when compared to others.
Mr C Don Adinuba, Commissioner for Information and publicity said that in view of the safety of the airport that everything is alright and assured that all is in place.
Adinuba said that the state has done its part due to the airport and that aviation duties have been planned for.
He also said that since April 30 2021 the airport has been in use and every facility required to make the airport functional is on ground with all documentation.
The commissioner said that the N10 billion naira in the 2022 budget was not out of place because of maintenance of the airport because development of an airport is a continuous one.
“World over airport are not done once, it is a continuous one ,if the basic things are done then you keep topping up and maintenance.”
