JUBILATION AS GOVERNOR OBIANO INAUGURATES ANAMBRA AIRPORT
REPORTER: ONYINYE CHIJIOBI
After initial doubt, the Anambra State International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri has finally been inaugurated with great fun-fare.
Thirty years dream of Anambra State having an airport came to reality with the inauguration of the Airport.
The state-of-the-art facility is located at Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area of the state.
The airport, which was constructed under the leadership of Governor Willie Obiano, under 15 months, lifted the spirit of ndi Anambra, vis-a-vis enhancing commercial activities, which the state is known for.
The venue was filled to capacity with various musical troupes, including Atiliogwu, ijele and other respected traditional masquerades.
Overjoyed Governor Willie Obiano at the event in Umueri, commended the Federal Government for granting the access for commercial operation.
Governor Obiano, while appreciating the presidency for giving approval for the Anambra airport to begin commercial activities, thanked the Minister of Aviation, Director General of NCAA among others for their support, especially being part of the success story.
Radio Nigeria however observed that though the airport was inaugurated, the much anticipated flights from Lagos and Abuja did not land.
Governor Obiano explained that the reason why commercial flight did not land was because the regulatory body required all the airlines to have their stand on ground before operation.
Governor Obiano further explained that the certificate of approval had been given to him, saying that the airport has been certified to have met all the conditions
The Governor, who noted that over 200 people had been trained for the take off of the airport, also said that a land had been allotted to the Air Force and Airpeace airline to build their base and hanger
In an address of welcome, the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Marcel Ifejiofor, who described the event as epoch-making, said that it was a tedious journey, maintaining that licence was duly granted by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), who they paid one hundred million naira construction fee and twenty-five million niara certification fee from when the construction started.
He pointed out that in fifteen months, the first test landing was done, seven aircrafts had landed ever since.
Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr. Uchenna Okafor, spoke about the economic benefits of the project, which he said would be enourmous for the state and the South East.
The Chairman Ivite Umueri, Chief Egbuna Okechi, who said that the inauguration of the airport was a dream come through for the people of the state, said that the present administration had demonstrated an exemplary leadership skill.
However the overwhelming joy and spontaneous jubilation of the people were dashed as the flights were canceled.