Some officials at the runway of Chuba Okadigbo Airport, Onueke, Ebonyi State
By Magnus Aluma, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Government has commenced the upgrade of the runway of Dr Chuba Okadigbo Airport at Onueke to meet international standard and avert crashes by airline operators.
The State Commissioner for Aviation and Technology, Dr Ngozi Obichukwu said that expatriates have been contracted to handle the upgrade of the airport runway.
Obichukwu said that the upgrade of the airport’s runway, from concrete to standard asphalting, is to enhance the operation of foreign airlines and other flights at the airport.
She observed that governor Nwifuru has engaged adequate security operatives in the area, to protect lives and properties, especially those of the travellers, and assured foreign airlines of safe landing always.
According to her, the runway is made of concrete, instead of asphalt, pointing out that this is why the governor quickly dispatched experts in the area to upgrade the facility and ensure that the runway meets international standards.
She said: “the expatriates are here and as you can see; they are working tirelessly to ensure that the runway meets international standards. The United Nigeria Airways landed here and requested that the concrete be upgraded to standard asphalting.”
Obichukwu explained that governor Nwifuru has opened discussions with the construction firms handling the project, to ensure that the runway meets the required standard.
The commissioner, therefore, called on intending travellers to be patient, as the upgrade will soon be completed, adding that the airport has overtaken other airports in the Southeastern Nigeria.
Obichukwu further applauded the state governor for the payment of five months arrears of salaries owed to the over five hundred staff of the airport, who were recruited by the immediate past administration in the state.
The commissioner said: “we commend the governor for the payment of salaries to over five hundred staff the airport that were recruited five months ago by the previous administration.”
“We also commend the governor’s pro active measure and determination to ensure that Ebonyi is on the road map and indeed world map of airways, and that’s why he engaged these expatriates, and by tomorrow, the technical officers are commencing work, to ensure that the runway is perfectly in order,” she emphasised.
