FG Suspends Rehabilitation of Enugu Airport

Chinazor Megbolu

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the suspension of ongoing rehabilitation work at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu Airport.

The Minister of Aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika said this on Tuesday during the inspection tour of the international airport.

Sirika hinted that the suspension is as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic currently ravaging globally.

He explained that work was suspended because workers at the project site left to be with their families because of COVID-19 pandemic.

Sirika also noted that the Federal Government had closed the Airport as well as some others to curtail the spread of the dreaded disease as a proactive measure.

He, however pointed out that the introduction of “glass mesh” at the Enugu airport runway was to strengthen it for durability.

According to him; “many other issues like the Cargo for this airport, other infrastructure, the terminal building under rehabilitation including the air conditioner system in the new international airport being built by the Chinese and of course the perimeter fencing, drainage and water supply, among others, will all be completed in this airport”.

Sirika, while thanking the State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and stakeholders in the South Eastern Zone for their commitment, urged them to continuously cooperate with the Federal Government pending when the menace of Covid-19 would be curbed.

Furthermore, he noted that 92 to 93 per cent of rehabilitation work at the Enugu airport had been completed.

“The work would have been completed in a few weeks’ time, but the workers left to be with their families in view of the social distancing protocol.

“But considering that the construction workers have downed tools owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government hereby officially announces suspension of work,” Sirika said.

He posited that the daily spread of the deadly COVID-19 worldwide has made the meeting of the deadline a herculean task.