All roads will lead to Onueke, a satellite city bordering Ezza North and South Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State on the 27th of April, 2023 for the event of the opening for operations the newest airport project in Nigeria named after the outgoing president of Nigeria, General Muhammad Buhari. The dream for the establishment of what is now a manifest reality was put into practical effort in the early months of 2019 by the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr David Umahi.
For many, it was a surreal aspiration that might go the way of other humongous projects initiated by different administrations in Nigeria which later could later not come to actualization, opening a surplusage of conduit channels for economic profligacy and financial malfeasance.
In September, 2019, the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika approved the application for consideration and adoption, construction of a mega international cargo airport in Onueke, Ebonyi State. It was in the expression of ecstasy by the Government of Ebonyi State over the prompt consideration and subsequent adoption of the airport project for joint ownership by the Federal Government that occasioned its naming after President Muhammad Buhari who found it a germane dream for the advancement of trade and commerce in the South Eastern part of the country popular for its massive business wizardry.
Since after the intervention of the Federal Government, the airport project had continued to record steady and rapid construction works which have been adjudged excellent by the different shades of interests following updates regarding the project. The airport which seats on a massive space of earth commands superfluity of modern aviation features and technology which make it stand tallest in the comity of aviation projects in Nigeria. The environment is beautified with alluring materials, chandeliers, ornaments and other floricultural elements which lend credence to it as a piece of tourist artistry to behold.
On the chest of the Abakaliki-Afikpo expressway diverging the path into the entrance of the airport is an aesthetically, but sturdily constructed long span of overhead bridge aimed at easing off vehicular traffic. Leading into the environs of the facility is a double lane road marked apart by a road demarcator with sparkling streetlights and walkways.
The significance of this laudable project cannot be overemphasised as it has already provided a wide range of formal and informal employment opportunities for Ebonyi people and outsiders. It’ll boost small, medium and large sized businesses and expose the state to international commercial linkages which will optimize the revenue drive of the state government. It’ll make the state viable for professional and nonprofessional conferences, gymnastics and educational tourism. It’ll also enhance the exploration of the vast untapped solid mineral deposits in Ebonyi State and bring in investors whose influence will make the state the business capital of the South East. The airport will among other things, open up Ebonyi State for hosting of national festivals and allied activities often as the state possesses inexaustible cultural and environmental potential, rich in agriculture and water resources.
As the Ebonyi State Airport Project becomes fait accompli tomorrow, 27th of April, 2023, it’s the obligations of Ebonyi citizens and residents to promote its potentials to the outer world and ensure that they do not commit themselves to anything that may seem to jeopardise the noble cause of linking the state to the global community such as border encroachment, stealing and allied vices detrimental to the growth and prosperity of the airport.
Citizens should see the facility as an opportunity to harness their skills and potentials and market themselves to the public. They should see the facility as a veritable step into building the Ebonyi State of our dream where our children and residents will be proud of, warding off the menace of unemployment and poverty. The airport as will be opened for use tomorrow shall be one of the landmark achievements of the David Umahi led administration, legacy that’ll outlive tomorrow.
As the airport kicks off operations tomorrow, the State Government in concurrence with the wishes of the people of Ebonyi State and residents assures prospective users of maximum security, quality aviation services and response to global aviation best practices as staff of the facility have been trained and equipped with the necessary skills and attitude to shoulder the lofty expectations and needs of its users. The people of the state also use the opportunity of the inauguration to extend their overwhelming satisfaction to the Government of the Federation of Nigeria under General Muhammad Buhari and the different professional organisations that have given a concrete and evidence-based nod to this noble project. It’s our collective aspiration and supplication that the facility will bring to the state superabundance of tourism, development and business potentials. To this end, the people of Ebonyi State are grateful to the Government of the state for initiating and seeing to the completion of this egalitarian project, wishing all who’ll attend the occasion a safe travel experience to and fro the state. To God, indeed be the glory!
Written by: Nwoba Chika Nwoba.
