The Anambra government says it will construct another airport at Ndikelionwu, Orumba North Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, less than four years after the inauguration of the Chinua Achebe International Cargo Airport, Umeri.

The Achebe airport project was officially launched on April 11, 2017, with construction finishing three years later and formal inauguration by former Governor Willie Obiano on October 30, 2021.

However, the managing director of the Chinua Achebe Cargo International Airport, Martins Nwafor, told journalists on Friday that another airport will be constructed in Ndikelionwu by the state.

Mr Nwafor said the initiative was part of the present administration’s programme to transform the state into a smart megacity.

“The project will also attract investments by combining the aviation infrastructure with surrounding commercial, residential and logistics facilities to create a dynamic airport-driven city,” he said.

According to him, having more than one airport in the state will give room for industrialisation and fast-track the state’s overall development.

He explained that the visit was to identify a suitable and flyable location where the state government can develop another airport and industrial park associated with the aerotropolis.

Mr Nwafor, who doubles as the chairman of the new Airport and Aerotropolis Committee set up by the state government, emphasised that the project would be a game-changer as it would break the untapped economic opportunities in the state.

Former president-general, Ndikelionwu Welfare Association, Fabian Nwosu, and the vice president of Ndikelionwu, Ifesinachi Onwurah, in their separate speeches, thanked the government for siting such a project that would create massive job opportunities in their community.

They assured, on behalf of their community, to support the government in realising the project.

Government officials present during the visit included the managing director of the Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company Limited, Charles Ofoegbu, senior special adviser to the state governor on security, Ben Chiobi, and the architect and founder of Sliding Towers, Chukwudi Ezenwa.

Also present to provide mapping of the location were geologists and geophysicists from the Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company Limited.

(NAN)