The Federal government and Enugu State Government seek to collaborate and build a cargo terminal in the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Emene to boost economy and tourism capacity of the state.
Governor Peter Mbah said the collaborative effort of government towards the airport functioning effectively is crucial for agricultural exportation aspirations of the state.
“Looking at the huge economic development we have expressed to our people, tourism is core; we are looking at attracting a minimum of 3 million visitors in Enugu yearly and we need an international airport and cargo terminal in operation to achieve this.”
“We cannot talk about export if we don’t have a cargo terminal. It is a major complementary asset for us to achieve our economic and social objectives;
“We are migrating agriculture to agro-allied industrialization and the cargo terminal is critical if we are going to engage in the export of agricultural and agro-allied produce from the state.”
“That is why we are partnering with FAAN to ensure that we start and complete a cargo terminal and indeed operationalize it,” Governor Mbah explained.
Mbah further stated that the Akanu Ibiam airport functioning effectively will affect the very essence of the state’s existence as well as the wellbeing and welfare of the people.
Representing the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Managing Director Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Kabir Yusuf Mohammed revealed the Federal Government’s willingness to collaborate with the Enugu state government to achieve her visions on exportation and tourism.
“Having heard from you the kind of vision you have for the state, we realized there is no better time than now to come and discuss with you and the people of Enugu state on how we can collaborate to make this airport a designature of all not only of the South Eastern part of the country but for the country in general,” MD FAAN said.
