Dr Ngozi Obichukwu, Ebonyi commissioner for aviation and technology, has expressed satisfaction with the ongoing reconstruction of the runway of the Chuba Okadigbo’s Airport, saying flight operation will begin by August in the state.

Ms Obichukwu stated this on Wednesday at the airport site in Ezza South Local Government Area of the state during an inspection of the project.

The 3.5 kilometres runway, constructed earlier with concrete, is now being reconstructed with standard asphalting.

The commissioner noted that Ebonyi would be good to go in terms of exporting food crops when the whole project is completed.

“We are good with productions. We can export our rice, we can export our garri and even our salt. We will package it in a way it will be acceptable to the world.

“Before we begin the asphalting on the runway, we have started witnessing the coming in of flights and you know like i have said before, it is both human and cargo airport.

“The runway of the Chuba Okadigbo’s Airport is about 90 per cent completed. We have about 500 metres remaining to get it done.

“The expatriate contractors are doing a very good job. Work has been on-going to ensure that we meet the completion period, which is in May and hopeful, we will commence flight operation by August.

“You people have seen what we have done and the extent we have gone. The contractors that won the bidding for the runway reconstruction have been up and doing,” the commissioner said.

Ms Obichukwu noted that Ebonyi would continue to remain the centre of attraction in the whole South-East.

“It will not only be a beehive of activities, but an economic hub of the southeast because many people will benefit from here,” she added.

On why the reconstruction of the runway, the commissioner said the initial concrete was causing aircraft to skip off the lane due to galloping.

“Yes, some of the aircraft skipped off the runway. That is the major reason we started this work. We have spoken to some airliners and they are already partnering with us,” she said.

Zubi Ata, site manager of the runway, said he was committed to delivering on the project at the expected date of May, while flight operations will commence by August.

Mr Ata, ifficial of the Infrastructural Development Company (IDC), commended the state government for awarding the contract to them. 

(NAN)