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Posted by Sade Williams
As part of measures and facilities needed to be put in place for the certification of airports, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is to embark on rehabilitation of the runway at the Akanu Ibiam International airport, Enugu, just as it is aggressively pursuing the relocation/demolition of illegal occupants and structures from around the airport.
Managing director of the Authority, Capt. Hamisu Yadudu gave this hint while inspecting facilities at the airport in company of Enugu State governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the state governor, while inspecting facilities in company of Capt. Hamisu Yadudu, managing director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and other directors, on Wednesday.
He said among other things that would be revamped at the airport, the Authority will soon commence a complete rehabilitation of the runway to give travellers good experience and give a new face to the airport.
“On the runway, we are very much in control, we have done all necessary preparations with our engineering team, our consultants and Federal Ministry of Aviation and very soon, we will begin a comprehensive rehabilitation to ensure safe and reliable flight.
A cross section of workers at the Town hall meeting
“Another one is where we promptly need the state government timely intervention and prompt action as you (referring to the governor) demonstrated in the case of the market place. This is about the issue of illegal residents on the airfield. This poses risk and safety concerns, when you have people living on the airfield and sterile area, you have people living in area where you have heavy machinery and equipment moving, and any presence of human being has the risk of major incidents or accidents because human activities come along with collateral activities in the household, with livestock and others.
“This is why we are asking for more support and cooperation in the resolution of this final safety hazard, that is the issue of the people living in the airfield, so that the Federal Ministry of Aviation and FAAN can continue with the final stage of the improvement of this airport, and that is the certification of the airport as an international airport and the completion of the revamping of the runway”, he said on Wednesday.
He also disclosed plans to put in place full perimeter fencing around the airports, adding that such would also ward off unauthorised persons from the airport vicinity.
He thanked the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for relocating the Orieneme Abattoir from the runway area, saying the governor assisted in averting serious security danger.
“We want to express our profound appreciation for acting just as you promised about the market place on the approach end of Runway 06. It was a very severe security hazard, safety risks, and when you made the promise to relocate, it was achieved in a timely manner”, he said.
Meanwhile, Yadudu addressed the workers in a townhall meeting where he solicited their support for the current leadership and assured them of unflinching good management-worker relationship throughout his tenure.