Nwoba Chika Nwoba, a writer and member of the People’s Democratic Party, has written a commentary on the significance of the Ebonyi State Airport project. The airport, which is set to open for operations on April 27, 2023, is located in Onueke, a satellite city on the border of Ezza North and South Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State. The project was initiated in early 2019 by the state government led by Engr David Umahi, and it was approved by the Federal Government in September of the same year. The airport project has continued to make steady and rapid progress and is equipped with modern aviation technology and infrastructure.
The writer emphasizes the significance of the project in terms of job creation, boosting businesses of all sizes, exposure to international linkages, tourism, exploration and marketing of untapped mineral deposits, and bringing in investors.
The writer also calls on the people of Ebonyi State to promote the potential of the airport and to ensure that they do not engage in any activities that may jeopardize the growth and prosperity of the airport.
Finally, the article expresses gratitude to the government and professional organizations that have supported the airport project and wishes all attendees of the inauguration a safe travel experience.
Commentary:
Significance of the Ebonyi State Airport Project
All roads shall 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 in Nigeria named after the outgoing president of Nigeria, General Muhammad Buhari. The dream for the establishment of what is now a gigantic reality was put into practical motion in the early months of 2019 by the Government of Ebonyi State led by 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 could later not come to actualization, opening 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 Ebonyi State. It was in the expression and overflow of milk of ecstasy 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 orientation by the Government of Ebonyi State.
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 sitting on a massive space of land 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, floricultural elements and topnotch infrastructure 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 lengthy double lane road marked apart with a demarcator and sparkling streetlights and standard 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 linkages which will optimize the revenue drive of the State Government and prosper its economy. It’ll make the state viable for professional and nonprofessional, talent-based, religious and gymnastic activities and educational tourism. It’ll also enhance the exploration and marketing of the vast untapped solid mineral deposits in Ebonyi State and bring in investors of varying purposes whose influence will make the state one of the business capitals in Nigeria. The airport will among other things, open up Ebonyi State for playing host to national festivals and allied events often as the state possesses inexaustible cultural and environmental potentials, rich in agriculture and water resources.
As the Ebonyi State Airport Project becomes fait accompli tomorrow, the 27th day of April 2023, it’s the obligation of Ebonyi citizens and residents to promote its potential to the outer world and ensure that they do not commit themselves to anything that may jeopardize 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 novel skills and potential and market themselves to the world. They should see the facility as a veritable step into building the Ebonyi State of their dream where graduates and non-graduates alike and residents will be proud of, warding off the menace of unemployment and poverty. The airport as will be opened for use tomorrow shall stand out as one of the landmark infrastructural achievements of the David Umahi-led administration, a legacy that’ll stand the test of time and posterity.
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 and requisite 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 the collective aspiration and supplication of the people of the state that the facility will bring upon 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, welcoming and 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.
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