Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has expressed commitment to ensuring the realization of a New Abia Airport Project emphasizing the state’s determination to expedite and complete the project in record time.
Governor Otti who stated this during a meeting with a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace, led by Permanent Secretary Dr. Emmanuel Meribeole assured that his administration would not only partner with the Federal Government, but take the lead to ensure the project’s success.
“One thing you can take away from here is that the state would actually be leading. For us, we are in a hurry. I believe that all that is required to give you access, you will receive them in record time.
“This is to assure you that we are more than ready and that everything you want and require, you will receive in record time“, Gov Otti affirmed.
The Governor highlighted the process undertaken by the government to identify a suitable location for the airport and explained that initial sites were inspected but found lacking in space and strategic placement.
“There were a few places that were mapped out earlier, but when we went on physical inspection, we found that some of those places do not have enough space and are not properly located for the airport.
“One important thing about airport is also location and so we now zeroed in the place we are looking at at the moment. We didn’t just identify the location, we went the extra mile of identifying the owners of the land because it’s a huge parcel of land. We have already started a meeting with them“, Otti explained.
Governor Otti, expressed hope that within the next year, significant progress would be visible, with the runway and terminal building completed as priority components.
“We hope that at least in the next one year, an airport would be standing. We don’t intend to complete everything in one year, but at least once we have the runway and the terminal building, the rest would come from time to time”,Otti stated.
Governor Otti who used the occasion to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the establishment of an airstrip for the state, also thanked the Minister for Aviation and Aerospace, Barr. Fetus Keyamo for his shared vision and relentless efforts in bringing the project closer to fruition.
He noted that the project which was included in the recently approved Federal Government’s 2024 budget, marks a significant step toward enhancing the state’s infrastructure and economic development.
Earlier, the leader of the leader of the delegation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace , Dr Emmanuel Meribeole commended Governor Otti’s visionary leadership, noting that their visit was to ensure the alignment of the approved land for the project.
Dr Meribeole who noted that the delegation included experts from FAAN, AEROSPACE, NEMA, and NIMET, said that the the project would begin with the approved airstrip as already approved by the Federal Government.
He emphasized that while airport projects are capital-intensive, their benefits, including job creation, promotion of commerce, revenue generation, Tourism, interconnectivity and overall development of the state.
