ASABA INT’L AIRPORT WILL COMPETE WITH OTHER KNOWN STANDARD AIRPORTS IN THE WORLD - Former President Obasanjo

Any moment from now, Asaba International Airport will continue to compete with other known standard Airports in the world considering an opportunity to accommodate all types of planes. 

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo indicated this Thursday evening judging from the spate of expansion work currently going on at the airport. 

While expressing satisfaction, the ex-President, who was on transit from the neighbouring Anambra State stopped-over at the airport and was accorded an reception ceremony by the Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and attested to the strategic position of the airport. 

According to President Obasanjo, completing the airport would herald socio-economic benefits to the host state and other neighboring states like Anambra state which harbours Onitsha International Market. 

This may not be unconnected with the determination of Governor Okowa administration’s bold steps to restore the lost glory of the airport after the Federal Government had downgraded the airport over poor operational / technical values and banned big aircraft from patronizing the airport.

Inspecting the progress of work thereafter, Governor Okowa said the State has been working assiduously to meet the standard of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). 

He said explained that the initial challenges faced by the contractor handling the project has been surmounted and stated that the project would be completed within the next few months. 

“I can see that work is going on at the new runway and taxiway. When completed, it will take all sizes of planes because, this airport is well positioned to serve the people of the state, the entire South-South and South-East regions, especially businessmen in Onitsha and Nnewi.” 

 “You can see that work is going on, the contractor had some issues which have been sorted out. We are expecting that at the end of March, substantial work would have been done and we will be back for another round of inspection in the next two weeks”, he added. 

The Chairman of the contracting firm, handling the project, Ogbueshi Uche Okpuno, who, took the Governor round the project after receiving the former President, further explained that work has advanced in the construction of the taxiway while issues raised by the FAAN, which led to its down-grade last year were been addressed. 

He was optimistic that the use of the Airport by the ex-President had underscored the strategic nature of the airport and justify the huge financial investment the state had expended to ensure that the facility meets international standards for all levels of aircrafts.