The Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) , Capt. Hamisu Yadudu has said FAAN will soon commence a complete rehabilitation of the Akanu Ibiam International airport, Enugu runway as the Federal Ministry of Aviation and its consultants have finished all the preparations to make it happen.
This is just as he also disclosed plans to put in place full perimeter fencing around the airports, adding that such would also ward off unauthorised persons from the airport vicinity.
Capt. Yadudu made this known while inspecting facilities at the airport in company of Enugu State governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
“On the runway, we are very much in control, we have done all necessary preparations with our engineering team, our consultants and Federal Ministry of Aviation and very soon, we will begin a comprehensive rehabilitation to ensure safe and reliable flight.
“Another one is where we promptly need the state government timely intervention and prompt action as you (referring to the governor) demonstrated in the case of the market place. This is about the issue of illegal residents on the airfield. This poses risk and safety concerns, when you have people living on the airfield and sterile area, you have people living in area where you have heavy machinery and equipment moving, and any presence of human being has the risk of major incidents or accidents because human activities come along with collateral activities in the household, with livestock and others.
“This is why we are asking for more support and cooperation in the resolution of this final safety hazard, that is the issue of the people living in the airfield, so that the Federal Ministry of Aviation and FAAN can continue with the final stage of the improvement of this airport, and that is the certification of the airport as an international airport and the completion of the revamping of the runway”, he said last week.
He also thanked the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for relocating the Orieneme Abattoir from the runway area, saying the governor assisted in averting serious security danger.
“We want to express our profound appreciation for acting just as you promised about the market place on the approach end of Runway 06. It was a very severe security hazard, safety risks, and when you made the promise to relocate, it was achieved in a timely manner”, he said.
