Hope rises as work commences on Akanu Ibiam Airport runway

Pilots and airline operators will soon heave a sigh of relief as plans are in top gear to get the runway 08 of the Akanu Ibiam international airport, Enugu rehabilitated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

The runway has been a source of worry to Pilots and airline operators over its poor state after it was extended by the Stella Oduah following which the airport was upgraded to an international status.

Daily Times investigation revealed that prominent indigenes of the area among them a former minister of aviation have expressed concern over the poor state of the runway.

Our correspondent further gathered that contract for the rehabilitation has been awarded to PW and that work will commence as soon as the rainy was over.

International flight operations commenced in Enugu in 2013 with the introduction of the only international airline, Ethiopian Airlines, which led to the expansion of the runway from its original capacity of 2,500 metres length, to 3,000 metres length to be able to accommodate medium size and big aircraft.

Stakeholders have repeatedly called on the Enugu state government to assist the airport management in the provision of facilities and dismantle the masts obstructing aircraft take off.

A source told Daily Times that a shoddy job was done at the airport whose remodeling contact was awarded to a frontline politician from the state by the last administration.

The source added that materials used for the construction were substandard hence the structure was damaged during a rainstorm that swept across the area immediately after the rehabilitation work.

Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo