Jubilation as test flights land at Anambra airport

Nkiru Nwagbo

The Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri, on Friday, witnessed test commercial flights amidst jubilation.

The State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, witnessed the test flights at the airport where the first aircraft landed on point zero six at exactly 2:15 pm, the second one landed at 2:44 pm on point two four, the third plane which is a private aircraft landed at 3:30 pm.

Two of the airplanes were from the fleet of Air Peace airlines, owned and operated by Anambra State-born Chief Allen Onyema, who to date, operates the only Nigerian indigenous international air carrier.

The Air Peace aircraft were an Embraer 145 and a Boeing 737.

The third aircraft, a private jet owned by chairman of Nest Oil, Mr. Ernest Obiejesi, who is popularly known as Obi Jackson, landed at 3:30pm.

Also in attendance to witness the ceremony were dignitaries including wife of the Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ebelechukwu Obiano.

The Anambra airport which is the newest in the country, has two hundred meters by three hundred meters apron, sixty meter width, three point seven kilometer runway with one kilometer RESA each at both ends of the runway, a thirty four point meter control tower, the tallest in Nigeria, terminal building, car park for up to seven hundred and fifty cars, two taxi ways, safety zones, diversion channel, water station, fire station, fire station emergency road, emergency operation centre, power House, among other security features.

Governor Obiano, who described the project as audacious and revolutionary, said that it took 15 months to achieve the feat.

He remarked that the airport glows above the doom of the Covid 19 pandemic, emphasising that no money was borrowed for the project.

While positing that the dream for airport in Anambra State began almost 30 years ago, starting from Oba but was never realised, the governor highlighted the vision and mission of his administration, saying that it is a direct bridge between Anambra and the world.

He expressed optimism that in no distant time, the airport will be the busiest in Nigeria and commended the zeal and determination of the various construction companies, Commissioner for works and team, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Umueri, Nsugbe and Nteje people.

He announced that Innoson Motors Ltd has been awarded the contract of producing all the aircraft steps for the airport and other related facilities.

Obiano further announced that very soon the Awka International Conference Centre and stadium would be ready for commissioning.

He recalled that part of his work plan at inception was to make Anambra State an economic hub and a first line charge in the country, saying that with the airport, socio-economic activities in the state would receive a great boost.

Speaking pm the occasion, the CEO of Air Peace airline, Dr. Allen Onyema, said that the Anambra Airport got its approval for construction from President Muhammadu Buhari, who according to him, did not waste time in doing so.

Disclosed that President Buhari would in the next three months approve the airport to a cargo and passenger international airport.

Onyema noted that the runway is the longest in Nigeria after the Lagos International airport with the length of 3.7 km while the tarmac is of carrying Air bus 737.

“When we landed here, I could not control my tears because when I went on TV to tell the world that we shall complete the project most people started attacking me but today it has been completed in record time.

“This is the first time any plane can do a test land with a big plane. We brought a small one and a big one here. My triple seven aircraft went abroad, else I would have brought it to prove a point; this airport can land an Airbus, which is the biggest airplane.”

The aviator said the airport would generate numerous jobs for Nigerians and significantly impact Nigeria’s economy.