Ebonyi State Government, Friday said it has commenced the upgrade of the Chuba Okadigbo’s Airport runway to international standard as way of averting air crashes.
The State Commissioner on Aviation and Technology, Dr. Ngozi Obichukwu, said that expatriates have been contracted to carry out the upgrade of the Airport runway.
Obichukwu said the upgrade of the runway, from concrete to standard asphalting, is to enhance the operation of foreign airlines and other flights movements at the airport.
The Aviation Commissioner, who assured foreign airlines and travellers of adequate protection and safe landing at the Airport said: “The runway is of concrete, instead of asphalt. And that’s why the Governor Francis Nwifuru quickly dispatched experts that are knowledgeable in the construction of runways to see how the runway can be upgraded to international standard.
“The expatriates are here and as you can see, they are working tirelessly to ensure that the runway meets international standards. The United Nigeria Airways landed here and requested that the concrete be upgraded to standard asphalting.
“Governor Francis Nwifuru has opened discussion with CCECC and CDC construction companies to ensure that the runway is constructed to international standard.”
She called on the travellers to be patient, as the runway upgrade will soon be completed, adding that: “Chuba Okadigbo’s airport has overtaken other Airports in South East region, therefore, the need for an upgrade cannot be overemphasized.”
Obichukwu however, applauded the Governor for the payment of five (5) months’ salaries to over five hundred (500) Airports staff, that were recruited by the previous administration in the state.
“We commend the governor for the payment of salaries to over five hundred (500) Airport staff that were recruited five months ago by the previous administration.
“We also commend his pro-activeness and determination to ensure that Ebonyi is on the road map/ World Map of Airways. And that’s why he quickly engaged these expatriates and by tomorrow, the technical officers are commencing work, to ensure that the runway is perfectly in order” she stressed.
