Declare emergency on Enugu airport – Reps (Newly opened airport already in a state of disrepair)

Posted by admin Aviation, Enugu, Headlines, State News, Top Stories Sunday, October 29th, 2017

John Ameh and Okechukwu Nnodim

Members of the House of Representatives admitted on Saturday that the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, was not safe.

They asked the Federal Government to declare an emergency on the airport so that a major repair could be carried out there.

They were reacting to the position of the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Aviation which on Thursday expressed worry over the deplorable facilities at the airport

The lawmakers said, “from the runway to the waiting and departure lounges, the situation is simply deplorable.”

The Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Mrs. Nkiruka Onyejeocha, summed up the impression of members when she spoke with SUNDAY PUNCH.

Onyejeocha, a Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker from Abia State, said having visited the airport with committee members for oversight duties, she could confirm that the airport was not safe.

She said, “Declare emergency on the airport for emergency and comprehensive repairs to take place.

“We did it at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and today we are happier with that decision. Safety is priceless. So, if it means shutting down the airport, better.

“There is no water in the toilets and the runway is bad; very bad.

“This is an international airport and we can’t tolerate this. The standard here is just too poor. The roofs are leaking and the scanners for security checks have also broken down.

Another lawmaker from Ebonyi State, Mr. Igariwey Iduma-Enwo, said he felt embarrassed whenever he heard people call the airport ‘international.’

Iduma-Enwo, a frequent user of the airport, described the airport as a “stinking” place.

Many South-East lawmakers who spoke with SUNDAY PUNCH, expressed disappointment in the past ministers of aviation, like Kema Chikwe, Stella Oduah and Osita Chidoka who were from the zone, but failed to take advantage of their position to upgrade the airport.

When contacted for his reaction, the Corporate Affairs Manager, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Mrs. Henriatta Yakubu, told SUNDAY PUNCH that the airports authority was investigating the matter.

In a text message response to an enquiry on the matter, Yakubu simply said, “FAAN management is looking into the comments.”

-Punchwp_posts