After initial confusion and hiccups, the new Anambra International Cargo Airport in Umueri, was declared open by Governor Willie Obiano on Saturday.
The confusion arose from reports that the regulatory body, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), had put the opening on hold, pending resolution of some grey issues.
But during the opening ceremony, Governor Obiano expressed his joy for commissioning the airport for the benefit of Anambra State, the Southeast and the nation.
According to him: “it is a thing of joy to see that Ndi Anambra have their own airport in my time as their Executive Governor. For the avoidance of doubt, I have with me the Certificate of Operations for this airport.
“In fact, I was invited to Abuja on Friday to collect the Certificate. And I have it here and about seven airlines have signified their readiness to operate flights from this airport”.
The Governor said some of the airlines are Air Peace, Ibom Air, United Nigeria Airlines, Anam Jets and three others, adding that Air Peace would have commenced full operations on Saturday but one of the regulatory authorities insisted that they open their operational counters at the airport first.
Giving the statistical data of the new airport, he assured the world that the airport meets international standard as specified by the international and national aviation authorities.
He aid: “Anambra International Cargo/ Passengers Airport has Certification from the Ministry of Aviation; Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), NEMA and NiMet. We have had test flights and everything is perfect”.
“Also, I want to tell you all that the biggest Airbus and Boeing 727 wide-body aircrafts can land in this airport. We built it to accommodate eight Boeing aircrafts at the same time. It is important to note that this airport is a Category (CAT) 9 while the airport boasts of the most modern Runway Lighting, Meteorological house, Control Tower with automatic fire-fighting water sprinklers and 400 passenger hall”.
Governor Obiano reiterated to the people of Anambra that the long wait for their own airport has ended.
“Ndi Anambra, the 30-year wait for your own airport has ended today as our airport is now a reality with the Commissioning today. People kept asking me why must Anambra have an airport when our neighbouring states have airports we can use. But I have always asked them why should we not have our own”.
The Governor argued that Anambra State with the largest concentration of big markets in Nigeria deserves an airport, saying that ” with 10 biggest markets in West Africa, a large auto spare parts markets, highest number of private jet owners in Africa and huge number of itinerant traders, we need our own airport her”.
He also pointed out that Anambra state did not borrow from the banks, federal government or took foreign loans to her the airport completed.
Earlier in his remarks on the occasion, Anambra State Commissioner of Works, Engr. Marcel Ifejiofor posited that Obiano’s administration had paid up every fee demanded by the relevant federal government regulatory authorities to certify the airport.
“I want to tell the world that this airport is of international standard. It has also passed every test required by federal aviation regulatory authorities and it can be verified by anybody. Those playing politics with it should stop”, Ifejiofor stated.
According to him: ”All the Directors of the aviation regulatory authorities have been at this airport. From the beginning of the project till now. We paid NCAA a sum of N100 million and later another sum of N25 million. Infact, the Director General, Captain Musa Nuhu has been here and has praised this airport. NCAA came to inspect the airport again on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 and certified it ready to operate.
“Since the Test-Flight, seven aircraft have landed and taken off in this airport including the aircraft carrying our Governor (Obiano).”
