Ebonyi Airport remains unused a year after grand N53 billion inauguration

The Chuba Okadigbo International Airport in Abakaliki, commissioned by former President Muhammadu Buhari on May 26, 2023, has reportedly been abandoned.

Recall that the inauguration ceremony showcased splendor and grandeur. The event had the presence of high dignitaries from both the federal and state governments.

Reports by Saharareporters state that despite the huge sums of money spent to inaugurate the airport, it is yet to begin operations.

The former Ebonyi Governor and current Minister of Works, Dave Umahi assured the people that the project would bring prosperity and boost the state’s economy.

Nearly a year and a month later, the airport is yet to generate any revenue. Reports suggest that shortly after the inauguration, the airport runway developed defects, causing airlines to boycott the airport.

The airport costing a whopping N36 billion in construction was eventually closed down for renovations.

Speaking on the issue of the abandoned airport, Governor Francis Nwifuru, said, the Federal Ministry of Aviation has suggested the runway be overlaid with asphalt after the concrete runway, built with cutting-edge technology developed problems.

Reports claim the Francis Nwifuru administration has invested an additional N17.3 billion in the airport,bringing the total cost to N53 billion.

The governor was reported to have said;

“A governor called me and we discussed at length on the approval of N13.75 billion for the airport that is deemed to have been completed and handed over,” the governor once said.

“The question that the governor asked me is the question every reasonable Ebonyi man is asking. The truth is that the mindset of those that started the airport is germane; but did we get it right? In the area of runway, we didn’t get it right because the runway is jumping and it is destroying aircraft tyres. Initially, we thought the problem was caused by the expansion joints.

“That’s what we believed initially and we said, okay, let us close all the expansion joints and know why it is jumping but it is still jumping and it has spoiled a lot of aircraft and that is why many airlines have refused to land there.

“And for us to get it right, we approached the Federal Ministry of Aviation and asked them what we can do. They told us that we need to do certification, put thyroids and start laying asphalt. I said wow, we are into trouble. When you look at the amount that was sunk into that airport, it is not something you get up and say you want to abandon.”

“The former administration sunk N42 billion into that edifice. It is one of the best, biggest and largest airports in the country. I said how to make a mark is doing something very difficult or challenging.

“We have been confronted with a lot of challenge on this matter and we must do something and get it right because our people’s money has been spent on the project and we must get the project right by putting what is right and what everybody wants.

“This is why we engaged so many contractors including CCECC, Julius Berger and so others to give us their quotations.

“Some gave N14 billion, some gave N15 billion, some gave N11 billion and N10 billion depending on what they do. But we looked at their schedules and the needs of the Ministry of Aviation. We didn’t just venture into the rehabilitation of the airport just to spend money but to make use of the value of our money that has been spent on that project.”

Speaking at his first anniversary in office, Governor Nwifuru revealed that his administration had spent N17.3 billion on remedial work on the airport runway.

“The remedial work at the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport runway has been completed. N17.3 billion was spent, while major repairs in the terminal building and control tower have commenced in earnest and in advanced stage. To this end, flight operations will commence fully at the airport,” the governor said.