A committee has been set up to work out modalities and terms of partnership between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the State Government in completion of the international terminal, construction of a cargo terminal, and warehouses at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
Eulogizing the foresight of the Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah in partnering with the Federal Government, the Managing Director of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku said airport infrastructural upgrade is a right step as it contributes to the Gross Domestic Product of the state and the region.
The Managing Director FAAN said this at a meeting with the Enugu State Government at the Government House Enugu.
“Infrastructural upgrade, when completed, will catalyze the business potential of the Southeast region, increase wealth creation within the zone, reduce poverty, and enhance the GDP of the states within this geopolitical zone,” Kuku said.
Citing studies by the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Airport Transport Association, Mrs. Kuku said, “Airports are engines of economic growth and one percent of a state budgetary allocation spent on an airport can triple the state’s GDP.”
“We welcome the nomination of experts from the state and from FAAN to join a committee that will commence further actions and with timelines. That will aid in signing the necessary MOU for the immediate implementation of the project as envisioned by the Governor,” Kuku said.
In his response, the Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah reiterated his administration’s goal of making Enugu State the preferred destination for investment, business, tourism, and living as well as growing the state’s economy from the current $4.4 billion GDP to $30 billion GDP in the next four to eight years.
The Governor however acknowledged that such exponential growth is not feasible without the necessary infrastructures including a world-class airport and logistics services.
“In our plan for tourism, we have projected to have over three million visitors come into Enugu State every year from next year. So, when we think in numbers, in terms of logistics, we will be expecting over 100 flights to come into Enugu daily. Therefore, the current infrastructure cannot handle it,” Governor Mbah said.
“Therefore, we are going to work with you to operationalize the international wing of the airport. We are also interested in constructing the cargo terminal and warehouses,” the Governor promised.
Dr. Mbah further disclosed that the state has settled with the Nigerian Air Force issues it had as regards the proposed site for the cargo terminal;
“We now have the green lights to go ahead with the construction of the cargo terminal following our agreement because we have executed an agreement with the Nigerian Air Force.”
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