• Chuba Okadigbo Airport’ll be economic hub after runway rehabilitation, says govt
From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
•Work in progress on runway
Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, Onueke, Ezza South Local Government, Ebonyi State, was inaugurated few days to the end of the immediate past administration in the state under David Umahi, now Minister of Works. Before then, there was an inaugural flight operation by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Criticisms had trailed the airport project as not a few people saw it as a waste of the state’s scarce resources. The critics said since it takes barely 45 minutes’ drive to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, there was no need for another airport at Onueke, Ebonyi State. For this group, the airport was a mere conduit to siphon public funds by its promoters.
•Inspection of work at airport
Umahi’s administration, which conceived and completed the project, claimed that N36billion was expended on the airport project, but its successor disclosed that N42billion was spent in constructing it. Governor Francis Nwifuru made the disclosure during a media chat marking 63rd independence of Nigeria and the state at 27.
Since the inaugural flight operation May last year, the airport, initially named after then President Muhammadu Buhari who renamed it after the late Senate President, Chuba Okadigbo, when his administration was winding up, had not been operational. The state government recruited some staff and put in place other things that should make the place functional.
But it was discovered that the runway was not built to be aircraft friendly as it was below the specified civil aviation standard as being enforced by the regulatory agencies. The runway was constructed with concrete all through making it very difficult for flight operations.
Nwifuru said: “The truth is that the mind set of those that started the airport is germane, but did we get it right? In area of runway, we didn’t get it right because the runway is jumping and it is destroying aircraft tyres.
“Initially, we thought that it’s the cause of the expansion joint, that’s what we believed initially. We said okay, let us close all the expansion joints and know why it is jumping. But it is still jumping and it has spoiled a lot of aircraft. That is why many aircraft refused to land there.
“A governor called me and we discussed at length on the approval of N13.75bn on airport that is deemed to have been completed and handed over. The question that governor asked me is the question every reasonable Ebonyi man is asking.
“For us to get it right, we approached the Federal Ministry of Aviation on what to do. They told to do scarification and put thyroids and start laying asphalt. I said wow we are into trouble.
“When you look at the amount that was sunk into that airport, it is not something you get up and say you want to abandon. The former administration sunk N42bn into that edifice. It is one of the best, biggest and largest airports.
“I said okay, how to make a mark is doing something very difficult or challenging. We have been confronted with a lot of challenges on this matter. We must do something and get it right because our people’s money has been spent on the project. We must get the project right by putting what is right and what everybody wants.
“Since we cannot make use of the project now, then what is the essence of spending that project now? This is why we engaged so many contractors to give us quotations. Some gave N14billion, some gave N15billion, some gave N11billion and N10bn depending on what they do.”
There is a huge market for the Ebonyi airport with prospective travellers from Ogoja, Ikom, Obudu, Ugep, Itigidi, Biase and other parts of Cross River; parts of Benue State and the northern part of Abia State, waiting to take advantage of their proximity to the airport.
Besides, the growing insecurity in the country has made air travels more expedient thereby opening more opportunities for aviation business. Daily Sun spoke with the engineer in charge of the runway rehabilitation, Zubby Atta: “We are doing the first phase of the asphalting. The whole work will be ready within three months. After the first phase of the asphalting, we do the second phase and that’s all.”
Commissioner for Aviation and Transport Technology, Mrs. Ngozi Obichukwu, said when the runway is completed, the airport would be economic hub, not only to the state but the entire South East: “The runway is being asphalted now. By the grace of God, Governor Nwifuru is desirous to put the airport in perfect use, and to make sure that Ebonyi is on the world map of travellers.
“We have finished scarification that will help to hold the asphalt. Technically, we are handling it. We thought that the project will be ready by August, but the way it is now, we are ready to start operation by May.”
Special Assistant to the Governor, Nnanna Nwangele, explained that the cordial relationship between the state government and the host communities has also contributed to the smooth work in the airport.