Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has confirmed that construction work on the runway of the proposed Abia Airport City is progressing steadily, as his administration works to deliver an international airport that will serve as a catalyst for economic growth.
Governor Otti stated this on Thursday while receiving a delegation from Skymaster Services Group, a private aviation company seeking to partner with the State Government.
The Governor explained that the State Government’s vision is to develop a modern Airport City complete with hotels and other supporting infrastructure to ensure sustainability and maximise economic benefits.
“It’s good to listen to you and appreciate what value you can bring to the airport project, which we have started. I believe that from the report I got yesterday, the work on the runway is progressing very well.
“Some of the things you said are actually already incorporated in the airport plan. So, we are not just doing an airport, we are doing an airport city, there will be hotels there and other things.
“The whole idea is that we have seen some airports in the country that are just standing alone. So, it’s a great disadvantage to an airport when it’s just stocked up alone. We have a more comprehensive idea about what the airport should be.
“I would just like to say, thank you for coming on time. This is the best time because we are still at the early stages, so we can incorporate some of the ideas that you have shared with us”, the Governor added.
Earlier in his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Skymaster Services Group, Mr Princewill Ogbonna, said the company, which currently provides aviation services in Port Harcourt, Lagos and at airports in Milan, Italy, was ready to extend its operations to Abia.
Ogbonna disclosed that Skymaster is keen to partner the State Government to offer domestic air services and help position the Abia Airport as a major hub for air traffic in the region.
“We are building the market, we are building the traffic to be able to support what we do here in Abia State. It’s going to be a busy airport. We want to partner with the State to turn the airport to a hub and see where we go from here.
“By the time the airport is ready, we are not going to go into the market to start telling people that this is the right place to go”, he said.
Mr Ogbonna commended Governor Otti for his administration’s infrastructural strides, particularly the improved road network, which he noted had made their journey smooth and stress-free.
He also expressed gratitude to the Governor for granting the company the opportunity to present its proposal and discuss potential areas of collaboration.
