The N11.6 billion Akanu Ibiam International Airport Terminal, Enugu will be completed by September 2015, the Supervising Minister of Aviation, Dr. Samuel Ortom has said.
Ortom made this remark after inspecting ongoing construction works at the airport on Monday.
Dr. Ortom, who is also the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, was accompanied on the tour by the Permanent Secretary in the Aviation Ministry and all heads of the aviation agencies as well heads of departments of the ministry.
The minister, who expressed satisfaction with the level of work done at the site, said if the assurance given to him by the contractors, China Civil Engineering Construction Company, CCECC, is anything to go by, the terminal will be ready by September 2015.
The site engineers handling the project promised the minister and his entourage that going by the speed they are going, they will do everything within their power and resources to ensure the project is delivered on schedule.
Ortom also inspected the remodeled old terminal, the pilgrims’ terminal, the pilots’ lounge and the general aviation building, all within the airport.
Speaking at the end of the inspection, Ortom said: “I want to say that I am impressed with what I have seen. This is the whole essence of coming here since I resumed office. I have looked at what I have seen today on paper but had to come to see things for myself so as to talk as an authority.
“You can see that the old terminal has been completed and commissioned. Work on the new terminal building which is going to cost the Federal Government N11.6 billion is going on. I want to say here that the local content of this project is unimaginable. Over 400 Nigerians have been given jobs for this terminal project alone.
“On the quality of done I am also impressed. My engineer on site has confirmed that they have no issues with the Chinese company handling the project. So I am equally impressed. I have got the assurance from the company that this project will be delivered to the Federal Government anxd to Nigerians by September next year”.
