ABIA State is on the threshold of a transformative journey, courtesy of the airport project that’s gaining momentum. The proposed airport, initially approved as an airstrip by the Federal Government, has been upgraded to a full-fledged airport, thanks to Governor Alex Chioma Otti’s tireless efforts.
This development is a testament to the Governor’s vision of opening up Abia for investment flow and socio-economic growth. With the airport, Abia State is poised to become a hub for commerce, industry, and tourism, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.
The project received a significant boost with the visit of a Federal Government team from the Ministry of Aviation, led by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Meribeole. The team’s visit was aimed at ensuring that the land and location approved for the project meet the regulatory requirements for siting an airport.
Recall that Governor Otti, who warmly received the Federal aviation team, had thanked President Bola Tinubu for approving the development of an airstrip for Abia. He posited that though the national budget made provision for an airstrip, Abia State Government would work with the Federal Government to upscale the airstrip to a full-fledged airport, as the major difference between an airport and airstrip is the length and size of the runway.
Governor Otti, in his exact words, on May 23rd, 2024, said:
“First of all, I will like to thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for consenting to setting up an airstrip in Abia and for also including it in 2024 budget as approved.
Even if the money there may not complete it, but a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. So, we are grateful to him.
We also want to say a big thanks to my friend and brother, the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Barr. Festus Kyamo, SAN, for all what he’s been doing to ensure that this becomes a reality. We are always on the line discussing, coming up with ideas on how to fast track this.
I want to thank you for also joining us to be in a hurry to deliver this project. Once we had agreed, we started looking for a suitable land because that is the most important in an airport. There were a few places that were mapped out earlier, but when we went on physical inspection, we found out that some of those places do not have enough space or are not properly located for the airport.
One other important thing about airport is location, so we now zeroed in on the place that you are looking at, at the moment. We didn’t just identify that location, we went the extra mile of identifying the owners of the land because it is a huge parcel of land. We had already started engaging with them”.
Also gratifying is that Access Bank willingly expressed readiness to partner with the Abia State Government in developing the airport project. This partnership is expected to ensure that liquidity does not become a problem, given the bank’s experience in airport project financing. The bank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna, led a team to Abia State to discuss the partnership, which is a significant milestone in the project’s development.
Despite the progress made, there have been attempts by some opposition elements from the defeated and failed Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to incite the host communities against the project. These elements, from the Nsulu clan of Isiala-Ngwa North Area, have been spreading falsehoods and misinformation about the project, in a bid to undermine the Governor’s efforts to develop the state.
However, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D, and other well-meaning Nsulu sons and daughters have intervened to ensure the project’s success. Their efforts have helped to calm tensions and reassure the host communities of the project’s benefits.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the airport project, scheduled for December 17, marks a significant milestone in Abia State’s journey to progress. The ceremony will be performed by the Minister of Aviation, Barr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, in collaboration with Governor Otti.
The Abia airport project is a shining example of what can be achieved through collaboration and vision. Governor Otti’s commitment to transforming Abia State, despite distractions from the opposition, is commendable.
The Governor’s dexterity and commitment to transforming Abia amid distractions from the depleted Abia PDP, who are working to deny Abians dividends of democracy which they failed woefully to provide when they had the opportunity of governing the State for 24 years, is a testament to his leadership abilities.
As Abia State takes flight, it’s clear that the future is bright for the people of Abia. The airport project is just the beginning of a new era of growth and development in the God’s Own State.
Dr. Ebere Uzoukwa is the SSA on Public Affairs to the Governor of Abia State.
