.Lawmaker, Ebonyians applaud
By Felix Uka, Abakaliki
Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the construction of an international airport in Ebonyi State.
This followed request by the Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi.
The development has triggered jubilation in the state.
Hon. Lazarus Ogbee, representating Ezza South/Ikwo federal constituency in the House of Representatives said that the project was mind boggling.
He explained that the project would further open Ebonyi State to the world.
The Minister for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, conveyed the approval in a letter to Governor David Umahi, which was also made available to newsmen in Abakaliki.
In a letter signed on his behalf by the Director, Safety and Technical Policy, Capt T A Alkali of the Ministry, the minister said that the approval followed the visit of a Technical team from the ministry and its agencies to the state on inspection of the proposed site for the airport.
“I am directed to convey approval of the Honourable Minister of Aviation for the construction of a state-owned/financed International Airport on the inspected site”, he wrote.
The minister however noted that the approval is subject to the state government’s fulfillment of certain requirements.
He listed the requirements as: Strict compliance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority requirements; compliance with all relevant environmental regulations, adherance to the provisions of the subsisting Civil Aviation Act 2006, Nigeria Civil Aviation Policy 2013 and other regulations that may evolve with time; and payment of statutory fees.
Other requirements, according to the minister include: Issuance of Security Clearance fro the Department of State Services (DSS); removal of all obstructions on the site and involvement of the ministry and its relevant agencies at every stage of the development of the airport to ensure compliance with Standards and Recommend Practices (SARPs).
With the approval, all is now set for the smooth take-off of the construction of the airport.
The airport is to be sited in a big expanse of land at the boundary between Ezza South and Ezza North local government areas.
The approval comes at a time when the only International Airport in the Southeast, located in neghbouring Enugu State had been shut down by the Federal Government indefinitely.
The Federal Government said that it shut down the airport to effect repairs on its dilapidated infrastructure including the runway.