US Firm To Support PH Airport

A team of aviation experts from the United States of America Wednesday visited the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.

The aim of the visit under the auspices of the Rivers State government is to assess areas of assistance to the Port Harcourt International Airport.

Areas inspected at the airport included the international and domestic departure halls which do not befit the status of an international airport and the tarmac.

Briefing aviation correspondents shortly after the inspection, the leader of the team, Mr. Genaro J. Pena explained that they were  at the Port Harcourt International Airport, to assess areas of assistance to make it befitting in terms of infrastructural development and provision of modern facilities and equipment.

“We are here to see the condition of this airport and to know the areas we can help in bringing it to international status”, Mr. Pena said,

pointing out that the Port Harcourt airport does not befit an international status, and strongly promised that the Houston Airport system would ensure better operation of the airport.

The Regional Manager, Federal Airport Authorities of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Henry Anyanwu, who thanked the team for the visit said the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, is in dare need of modern equipment and infrastructure as the available ones are not befitting of an international airport.

According to Mr. Anyanwu, the airport and its runway deserved to be expanded and remodeled to accommodate more international and domestic flights just as it requires a dual carriage road and landscaping.

He enumerated some of the problems facing the airport such as power fluctuation, adequate water supply and expansion of its international and local departure halls as well as obsolete equipment which need replacement.

Shedie Okpara