The performance of the Anambra International Passenger and Cargo Airport, which officially opened for scheduled and non-scheduled flight operations on December 7, 2021, has performed beyond expectation following the massive support of the Governor Willie Obiano administration
For instance, in just one month of its operations, the airport recorded one hundred and fifty-two flights. During this period, only 1 flight was cancelled and another diverted to a neighbouring airport.
A statement from the management of the airport said three thousand, eight hundred and sixty-five passengers passed through the airport during the period. This statistics is, no doubt, unprecedented and unequalled, even by older airports. It has vindicated the progressives who projected that the Anambra Airport would be one of the busiest in Africa.
It would be recalled that the Anambra International Passenger and Cargo Airport was built in record time of fifteen months by the outgoing Governor Willie Obiano administration after failed attempts by previous administrations. Remarkably, it is not only that high intensive capital project was constructed without borrowing or owing, it was constructed alongside other capital intensive projects such as the thirteen thousand sitting capacity International Convention Centre, FIFA-standard City Stadium among others.
At the moment, only Airpeace and United Nigeria Airlines have started operations at the airport. It has also hosted a presidential jet when, on December 30th, the Minister of Labour and Employment, and former Governor of Anambra state, Dr. Chris Ngige, landed at the airport with his entourage.
Other prominent Nigerians have also landed at the airport with private jets, including Senator Andy Ubah, who contested for Anambra gubernatorial elections under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 6, 2021 Anambra gubernatorial elections, although an Abuja High Court later ruled that the party had no candidate in that election.
Aviation experts believe that passenger and cargo traffic will increase as soon as the other approved airlines begin operations. Furthermore, Governor Willie Obiano will soon take delivery of three hi-tech fire tenders built to specification for the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri.
The state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C-Don Adinuba, who disclosed this, said the equipment are due in Anambra this week. The fire engines, built by Ziegler Company, Germany, a leading provider for firefighting and emergency management solutions, are expected to arrive Anambra State soon to add to the requirements needed to lift restrictions placed on the airport by the NCAA. And when the restrictions are lifted, more airlines will start operations there, thereby increasing patronage.
Understandably, Governor Obiano is leaving no stone unturned in making sure that the Anambra Airport functions optimally for the good of Ndị Anambra, Ndị Igbo and indeed all Nigerians. This is because the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri is one of the legacy projects of the Obiano administration. The Governor has been commended by Ndị Anambra and many Nigerians for fulfilling a promise that eluded his people for less than three decades.
The fact that flights from Air Peace and United Nigeria Airways repeatedly landed at the airport throughout the yuletide, bears testimony of a people’s pride, fully restored. In days to come and as other airlines start flight operations at the airport, the promise of a future in full flight, the catalyst for a livable and prosperous homeland, would have been fulfilled, courtesy of the visionary leader, Governor Obiano.
Notably, airports change the status of a state and region in any part of the world. According to a poet, Atticus, there is something magic about airports; it is like standing in a room with a thousand doors. Airports make everyone feel like passer-through, like a visitor, like an outsider, and this is comforting in its honesty.
In all honesty, Governor Obiano has changed the status of Anambra with the construction of not just an airport but an international cargo and passenger airport. Indeed, Akpokuedike has written his name in gold in the state.
WRITTEN BY DR NNAMDI NWADIOGBU
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