The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has revealed that Abia State has opted to upgrade a planned federal airstrip into a full international airport, marking a shift in the Federal Government’s initial aviation development plan for the state.
Keyamo made the disclosure while speaking on ongoing aviation infrastructure projects and regional air connectivity initiatives across Nigeria.
According to the minister, the Federal Government had originally included an airstrip for Abia State in the 2024 budget as part of a broader plan to improve aviation access across underserved regions, particularly in the South-East.
He explained that the proposal stemmed from his recommendation to President Bola Tinubu, noting that Abia State previously had neither an airport nor an airstrip.
However, the plan took a new direction after Abia State Governor Alex Otti reportedly approached the Presidency with an alternative proposal.
“When we came to power, I went to Mr President saying Abia does not have an airstrip or an airport in the whole of the South-East. So, he told me to put it in the budget. In the 2024 budget, we put the Abia airstrip as one of our first projects,” Keyamo said.
He added that Governor Otti proposed upgrading the project beyond its original scope through a counterpart funding arrangement, effectively transforming it into a full international airport.
“However, credit to Dr Alex Otti, who did not stop at that. He went straight to Mr President behind me and said, ‘Sir, bring the money for the airstrip, I have counterpart funding. I will now make it a full international airport,’” the minister said.
Keyamo further stated that the planned facility in Umuahia is now being developed as a full-fledged international airport, with both federal and state contributions.
“That project has taken off under his guidance. In fact, Abia has brought more money than the federal government,” he added.
Enugu Airport Positioned for Direct Cargo Link with China
In a related development, Keyamo also confirmed ongoing negotiations for a direct cargo flight route between Guangzhou, China, and Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.
He said the initiative is aimed at strengthening trade logistics in the South-East by reducing reliance on intermediary hubs.
“We are negotiating for the first flight from Guangzhou straight to Enugu in December,” he said.
According to him, the plan is part of a broader strategy to position Enugu Airport as a regional cargo hub.
“It will enable all traders, especially our brothers from the South-East who do business in China, to go twice every week, put all their goods into one cargo, and have it go straight from Guangzhou to Enugu. Then it can be delivered to Onitsha and Aba,” he explained.
.jpeg)
.){kind=link}
0 Comments
DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed on this platform as comments were freely made by each person under his or her own volition or responsibility and were neither suggested nor dictated by the owners of News PLATFORM or any of their contracted staff. So we take no liability whatsoever for such comments.
Please take note!