An Air Peace Hopper 5N-BXF aircraft from Abuja safely touched down at the newly-built Ebonyi International Airport at 3.48pm on Thursday to mark the commencement of flights to the airport, named after President Muhammadu Buhari.
Amidst jubilation by the Ebonyi people who gathered to witness the historic inaugural flight, another Air Peace flight from Lagos, Hopper 5N-BUY, also landed about 30 minutes after the first.
Governor of the state, Dave Umahi, who received the passengers, said the state spent over N36 billion naira to construct the international airport, located in Onueke, Ezza South LGA.
He recalled how badly neglected Ebonyi people were in the past, and attributed the present glories and achievements of the state to God’s providence.
He appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his tremendous support towards the success of the airport and other capital intensive projects in the State.
He also thanked the State Executive Council, Legislature, Judiciary and all who contributed to the success of the airport.
Umahi specifically thanked his predecessor, Chief Martin Elechi, for providing him the door through which to excel.
He noted that the Airport would be handed over to the Federal Government for concessioning in order to keep it running effectively, adding that Buhari would be visiting to officially commission the Airport in the next 10 days.
Umahi explained: “For the project cost, this entire thing so far is N36 billion, including the equipment. We have the best equipment in the whole country. And anybody can challenge us.
“What is remaining now is the air field, taxi way and runway lighting, which we have paid for. We needed to have this place to be the best to meet world standard.”
The Governor further stated the State Government would offer free flight to passengers travelling to Abuja and Lagos from the Airport within the next four weeks in the two particular aircraft.
He added: “Let me say that going forward from the first week of May, we intend to fund free of charge two aircrafts per week: two from Lagos and two from Abuja. Anyone that will use this place, you don’t need to pay any money; just know the days of flight for the same aircraft. We will continue to pay for the next four weeks.”
In his remarks, Elechi applauded Umahi, noting that the story of the airport would take many days and books of eulogy.
Elechi described the naming of the airport after Buhari as most appropriate, going by the President’s various contributions and historical impact in the development of the State.
He added that such an edifice wherever it is located always brings innumerable development.
Collins Oti, who represented the Chairman and Chief Executive of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema, said it was highly exciting landing on the airport, and commended the State government for such a huge initiative.
The General Manager, Aerodrome Services, Oladipo Adebayo, who represented the Director, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, described the Airport as one of its kind in the country.
He praised the design and quality of the runway and other facilities in the airport as both unique and of highest quality standards.
Adebayo however called for proper maintenance of the facility for greater durability.
Others who spoke, including the Ebonyi State Governor-elect, Francis Nwifuru; Special Assistant to Governor David Umahi on Aviation Services, Obianuju Aloh; and Chairmen of Ezza North and South local government areas, Moses Ogodoali Nome and Euphemia Nwali respectively, on whose land the airport is located, also eulogised the Governor, describing the project as a great driver of economy and tourism.
While Nwifuru noted that the governor’s performance would continue to pose a huge challenge to him as his elected successor, Nome described the airport as a seemingly impossibility made possible through bravery, diligence and commitment of the Governor.
President Muhammadu Buhari will formally inaugurate the airport in the first week of May 2023.
