Minister Keyamo Announces New
International Airport in Abia State as Part of Tinubu’s South East Development
Agenda
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development,
Festus Keyamo, has revealed that the planned international airport in Abia
State is a key part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader agenda to promote
development in the South East.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony of the Abia
International Airport in Nsulu, Abia State, on Tuesday, Keyamo emphasized that
the new airport will serve as a major catalyst for transforming the state into
a commercial hub for the region.
Keyamo shared that President Tinubu has a deep
commitment to ensuring that no region of Nigeria is left behind in terms of
development. He cited the president’s determination to address infrastructural
gaps in the South East, pointing out that Abia was the only state in the region
without a functional airport. “President Tinubu has made it clear that he
doesn’t want any part of Nigeria to be cheated. When I briefed him on the state
of the aviation sector, he immediately raised the issue of Abia’s lack of an
airstrip and asked why there was no airport in the state,” Keyamo said.
The Minister recounted that the President was
particularly concerned about the situation in Abia, noting that, despite its
industrial significance, the state had no airport to support its economic
activities. Keyamo further noted that it was following these discussions with
the President that the decision was made to include the development of an
airport in Abia in the 2024 federal budget.
“This was after I briefed the President about the
aviation sector. He said, ‘Why doesn’t Abia have at least an airstrip?’ He
stressed that we should ensure that the 2024 budget included provisions for an
airstrip in Abia,” Keyamo explained.
The Abia International Airport project is largely a
federal government initiative, with the state government contributing to
upgrades, particularly to the runway. The airport, which was initially an
airstrip, will be transformed into a full-fledged international airport.
Keyamo went on to describe the significant role that
Governor Alex Otti of Abia has played in the development of the project. “When
I informed Governor Alex Otti about the airstrip, he immediately rejected the
idea and proposed that we upgrade it to an international airport. He also
committed to partnering with the federal government and providing counterpart
funding for the project,” Keyamo said, praising the Governor’s proactive
involvement.
The Minister also highlighted Abia’s strategic
importance to the South East, noting that the state is the heart of the
region’s industrialization. “It doesn’t make sense for the heart of
industrialization in the South East to lack an airport. This airport will not
just be for passengers, but there are already plans to make it a cargo airport
as well. This will significantly boost the economy of Abia and the entire South
East region,” Keyamo added.
With the construction of the new international
airport, Abia State is set to gain a critical infrastructure boost that will
enhance its commercial and industrial potential, improve connectivity, and
contribute to the overall development of the South East region.
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