As the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu gears up to commence international flight operations, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has commended the President Goodluck Jonathan Administration for making it possible.
He gave the commendation while reacting to the planned maiden international flight operations from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport by Ethiopian Airlines on August 24 this year.
Senator Ekweremadu who described the development as a “major milestone in the infrastructural renewal of the South East and a monumental boost for both trade and Direct Foreign Investment for the entire country”, said it would alleviate the challenges faced by business persons travelling to the South East,
“For many decades, the people of the South East, the local and international business community have waited seemingly endlessly for the commencement of international flight operations at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, and the people South East will remain ever grateful to President Jonathan for the breakthrough”, he enthused.
The Deputy President of the Senate also commended the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua whom he said, took the initial practical steps towards making the Airport an international facility and a sub-regional aviation hub.
Extolling the President Jonathan Administration for faithfully nurturing his predecessor’s dream to reality, Senator Ekweremadu said the materialization of this vision highlights the need for policy and project continuity in governance.
He said: “It is also noteworthy that this project has gone on smoothly under the tenures of Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke who facilitated discussions with late President Yar’Adua on this project as Minister of Transport, Mrs. Fidelia Njeze who started the actual construction, as Minister of Aviation; and the current Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah who has driven this vision with tremendous commitment, passion, and vigour to the point of reality today”.
Senator Ekweremadu commended in a special way Enugu State Caucus of the National Assembly for committing their entire Constituency Project funds for the year 2008 to boosting budgetary provisions for the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in accordance with the understanding reached with former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
The Deputy President of the Senate also commended the Governors, political stakeholders, and the entire people of the South East for their collective support towards the actualization of the vision, and called for continued massive support of the South East geopolitical zone and the nation for the President Jonathan Administration.
He assured that other international airlines, notably, the Emirates and Turkish Airlines would soon join international operations from Enugu.
