Ahead of tomorrow’s reopening of the Akanu Ibiam International Enugu Airport, Enugu, the first aircraft has landed on the new runway.
DAILY POST reports that the airport was shut down last year for a major repair.
The project led to the expansion of the runway from one to three kilometres.
At about 5 p.m. today, an aircraft conveying the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, landed at the Enugu airport.
An elated Sirika told journalists that all was now set for the reopening of the airport.
“Yes, the first aircraft landed today, and the minister was on board,” he said while responding to questions from journalists.
Also onboard the flight was billionaire business mogul, Prince Arthur Eze, who told the media that “we thank President Buhari, this shows that he loves Ndigbo.”
Although work on the project is still ongoing at the various sections of the airport, the Federal Ministry of Aviation has slated the official commencement of international flights from Enugu for Saturday, with the Ethiopian airline billed to fly in and out of the coal city.
Speaking to Journalists after the four-hour flight from Senegal to Enugu, amid jubilation by residents who thronged the airport to catch a glimpse of the first international flight, Prince Eze praised President Jonathan for living up to his promise, stressing that the upgrading of the airport would boost the economy of the South East.
“Look at me, I flew from Senegal to Enugu for four hours non-stop. I don’t need to go to Lagos or Abuja to catch a direct flight again to Europe or Senegal. I can now go from my house to any place of choice. It is a good thing and I thank God for the development. The people of the South East will live to enjoy this because it will grow our economy,” he said.
He said that Ndigbo had been clamouring for an international airport from the military era up to the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, all to no avail, until a few years ago when Goodluck Jonathan came on board and approved the airport and backed the project with resources.
“I am the first beneficiary of this beautiful airport. I am grateful to Jonathan. Jonathan has saved the lives of Igbo people by reducing their suffering. Right now, Igbo people, who are noted for traveling overseas for business, can do so from their zone. Jonathan has demonstrated that he is a wonderful human being and God will continue to bless him”, Eze said.
He commended the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, for seeing to the realization of the airport.
Source: NewsNow / vanguardngr.com