The president of pan Igbo socio cultural organization, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Barr Nnia Nwodo has expressed joy and pleasant surprise at the completion of renovation and reopening of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, South East Nigeria.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony at the airport premises, Nwodo pointed out that he had been an ardent advocate against the perceived injustice meted against the Igbo nation in all spheres of life in Nigeria, but has been appeased with the current development.
“I never believed this was possible. We have been appeased in this part of the country, with regards to equity and justice to our basic facilities; highways, waterways, our due allocation for positions of responsibility in the federal government.
“I have actively advocated our dissatisfaction with these. I never believed that what we are seeing today will happen and happen with such rapidity”. Nwodo enthused.
He disclosed that the delegation sent by South East stakeholders to lobby for speedy renovation of the airport were surprised that before their visit to the president, he had already approved N10 billion for the project, while the president promised to bequeath the zone an airport that is truly of international standard.
“The minister of aviation assured us that the type of airport approved by the president is one that will have; Instrument Landing System, capable of bringing an aircraft down, with navigation facilities when visibility is difficult, new synthetic fiber sunk on the 3 kilometers road of the runway, with capacity to stop water logging in such a way that this runway will never have the problems it had before and also the president approved five international airlines to land in it at completion.
“All I can say is that from what I have read from reports, I believe you have done what you promised to do and I want to convey the gratitude of Ndigbo through you to the president and we are hoping that this will be the end of injustice against Ndigbo in the Nigerian federal system”.
The event had in attendance almost all dignitaries that matter in Igbo land who were unanimous in expressing appreciation to the federal government for the speedy renovation and reopening of the airport.
They included; all south east governors, some senators and House of Representatives members, former governors from the zone, former senators and House of Representatives members, notable traditional rulers from the zone, including the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, business moguls, including, Chief Arthur Eze, among others.
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