The collaboration between the Enugu State Government and the Federal Government to enhance the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu has been bolstered with the formation of a committee.
This committee aims to refine the terms of cooperation between the state government and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and devise strategies to advance the completion and operation of the international terminal, along with the construction of a cargo terminal and warehouses.
According to vanguardngr.com, This was even as the Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku, lauded what she described as “the wisdom of the Enugu State Government to partner with FAAN in providing critical infrastructure that will enhance the ability of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in providing seamless operations in cargo, domestic, and international passenger facilitation.”
Speaking at a meeting between the state government and FAAN at the Government House, Mrs. Kuku stressed that the infrastructural upgrade, when completed, would “catalyse the business potential of the South East region, increase wealth creation within the zone, reduce poverty, and enhance the GDP of the states within this geopolitical zone.”
She explained that separate studies by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and the International Airport Transport Association had demonstrated that ”airports are engines of economic growth and that “one percent of a state budgetary allocation spent on an airport has the ability to triple the state’s GDP.“
“In this regard, we welcome the nomination of experts from the state and from FAAN to join a committee that will commence further actions and with timelines. That will aid in signing the necessary MOU for the immediate implementation of the project as envisioned by the governor,” she stated.
Speaking of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, reiterated his government’s determination to make the state the preferred destination for investment, business, tourism, and living as well as grow the state’s economy from the current $4.4 billion GDP to $30 billion GDP in the next four to eight years.
He, however, said that the government was aware that such exponential growth would not happen without providing the necessary environment, including world class airport, aviation, and logistics services, that would make the state attractive to private investors.
