A’Ibom Earmarks N18.05b For New Airport

Determined to address the increasing passengers’ traffic at the Ibom International Airport, the Akwa Ibom State Government has signed N18.05 billion agreement with Messrs ALCON Nigeria Limited to build a modern airport terminal.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio disclosed this while fielding questions from newsmen, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

He explained that passengers from neighbouring states, such as Rivers, Cross River and Abia also thronged the airport to get to their various destinations.

“In addition, many people from Cross River State because of the flight schedules also use the airport just like we interchange sometimes. We also use the Calabar airport to fly their schedules. Whichever one that is convenient because the two states are close, you interchange and use.

“Then, we realise that the passengers’ traffic has increased  tremendously; you can imagine a new airport that is just starting and under two years, we have recorded four hundred and three thousand passengers passing through”, he said.

He noted that the increase in passengers’ traffic infirmed the decision to expand the terminal, coupled with the desire to use the airport as cargo hub for international cargo flights.

“At the same time, we are building maintenance repair and overhaul facilities which you are aware is capable of carrying at least seven B737s simultaneously and even B747 planes”.

The Akwa Ibom Governor pointed out that the completion of Maintenance Repair Overhall facilities would make it the biggest hangar in West Africa, saying “there is no other airport in the whole of West Africa that has such”.

“”We can have a lot of place for aircraft to land in future. You can never tell, it would turn out to be a major hub in the future for the region in terms of cargo facilities and also use the place for aircraft doing their maintenances like A,B, and C checks.

“We have had cause to go outside the country to do repairs of our aircraft and if we have such a thing here with international experts working there, it means there will be a lot of passengers coming in.

The current terminal we have is not befitting, that is why we thought it wise to modernise it and do it for Nigeria. It’s good for Nigeria and it adds another feather for the country”.

He further stated that the airport would complement Port Harcourt International Airport for international flights, adding that “the hangar is the first of its kind in Nigeria, including the terminal”.

According to him, since the commencement of the inaugural flight on September 23, 2009 till date, the statistics available shows that the Ibom airport has been rated as the most industry compliant airport as well as the fastest growing airport in the country since 1960.

Reward Akwu