All Is Set For Work To Begin On Construction Of Abia Airport, Says Commissioner

Theodore OrjiThe Abia Commissioner for Transport, Chief Ikechukwu Emesobum, on Monday said an airport would be constructed in the state before May 29, 2015.

Emesobum told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia that all the formalities for the acquisition of land and other preliminary arrangements to get the site ready had been completed.

He said the location would soon be announced to the public.

“A committee, under the chairmanship of the Abia Deputy Governor, Chief Emeka Ananaba, has already received land offers from more than seven communities across the state.

“Because the people love and welcome the idea, they are willing to offer their lands and government is making its choice based on the template for the establishment of an airport”, the commissioner said.

He said further that Abia had met all the requirements for the construction of the airport.

Emesobum said the proximity of the airports in Owerri, Port Harcourt and Enugu does not invalidate the viability of an airport in Abia.

“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has basic set standards for the construction of an airport and, by all the considerations, Abia is qualified”, he said.

The commissioner, however, did not reveal the total cost of the project.

“The state government has already considered the financial implications of the airport and felt it can embark on the project”, he only said.

Emesobum advised the people of the state to have faith in the administration of Gov. Theodore Orji, adding that they would not be disappointed in the long run. (NAN)