President Muhammadu Buhari has announced the approval of N10 billion naira for the reconstruction of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
On his official Twitter handle, the President said, “I have approved the sum of 10 billion Naira for an Intervention fund for the upgrade of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. I have the assurance of the Minister of Aviation that the work will be done speedily and to the highest standards.
“Even as we have many items competing for our limited resources, we will continue to prioritize infrastructure investments in every part of the country. It is our responsibility to ensure Nigeria’s infrastructure is fixed; we will keep doing this.”
I have approved the sum of 10 billion Naira for an Intervention fund for the upgrade of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. I have the assurance of the Minister of Aviation that the work will be done speedily and to the highest standards.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) October 17, 2019
[READ ALSO: FG yet to commence reconstruction of Enugu Airport even after shutdown]
Buhari was said to have announced this after a meeting with South-East governors and leaders from the zone at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
More details: The South-East governors and leaders had urged the President to provide a special fund for the renovation of the Enugu Airport. Leading the group was the Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum and Ebonyi Governor, Dave Umahi, who said that a state of emergency should be declared on roads and erosion in the South East.
Speaking on the main reason for the meeting, Umahi said, ”We are here to kindly urge Mr. President to approve special fund for the Akanu Ibiam Airport just like what was done for Abuja Airport.”
He told Buhari that the Enugu Airport closure had greatly affected the people as it had grounded activities in the region and was causing great hardship for the people.
What this means: This is no doubt good news for the people as the reconstruction which was supposed to have begun some months back, was stalled due to lack of funding. Prior to now the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika had come out to say that N10 billion would be required to keep the airport running again.
With this approval, Julius Berger who was chosen by the South-East governors to execute the project can now go ahead and do so as the deadline for this project remains December.
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