Minister of State, Aviation
…Enugu State government orders immediate removal of impediments
To effect the reconstruction of the runway at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, the federal government will shut down the runway soon, just as the Enugu State government has ordered immediate removal and relocation of Orie Emene Market and every impediment to the project.
The runway is billed for expansion, extension and upgrade to ensure flight safety at the airport
Minister of state, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika who disclosed the proposed shut down of the runway at the 6th stakeholders forum in Lagos, said the it was in a deplorable condition and must be taken care off to avoid disaster.
Sirika stated that, the threats to safety at the airport apart from the bad state of the runway, the nearness of the local market, radio mast and the free trade zone around the airport were impediments to safety of flight operations into that Airport.
He said these impediments were directly at the center line and end of the runway of the airport, adding that recently one of the domestic airlines suffered a bird strike due to the waste generated by the market which attracts birds to the airport environment.
The closure of the market was a result of assurance earlier given by the state after discussions between the Minister and government of Enugu State on the dangers of having the free trade zones, local market and the radio mast around the airport.
“We have done a lot of cut and paste for the runway but unfortunately when we fixed it, it failed and we cannot continue with that as lots of funds are being wasted”.
Briefing newsmen after the council’s meeting on Friday, the State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ogbuagu Anikwe, disclosed that the council also closed the abattoir near the airport and equally ordered the immediate removal of all illegal structures encroaching on the land of the airport.
Anikwe added that “the Chairman of Enugu East Local Government Area has been directed to effect the immediate closure of the market”.
He explained that “the State Executive Council had on October 12, 2018 approved funds for relocation of the State Broadcast Mast on the approach of the runway to Okpatu Hill (Ugwu Rerenkwu) in Udi Local Government Area but the implementation of this project has been hampered by the disruptive activities of some youths in the community”.
According to the information commissioner, “Enugu State Government hereby directs immediate cessation of all hostilities against the project as any further interference will attract the full wrath of the Law given that the government has paid all the necessary compensation.
“The Traditional Rulers of Okpatu communities and Town Union Leadership are hereby called upon to ensure full compliance with the above directives”.
