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Youths reject opening of Akanu Ibiam international airport

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council (OYC), Worldwide Monday, said that the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu cannot be reopened without installation of Night landing facilities.

The airport was shutdown late 2019 by the federal government in order to work on the runways, which was reportedly damaged.

It was also gathered that since the airport was upgraded to international airport in 2010, a lot of upgrading is  needed to be done to qualify for new standard.

But OYC, in a  statement signed and issued to journalists in Abakaliki by its President General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, insisted that, from their investigations, the airport will remain a local one without Night Landing facilities.

They noted that leaked picture of the airport by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) was not for the reopening of the airfield, but for the necessary things to be put in place.

The group commended President Muhammadu Buhari and southeast Governors for ensuring the airport is upgraded.

The statement reads, "Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has seen the recent leaked pictures of Akanu Ibiam international Airport, Enugu by FAAN and Igbo youths sent an undercover delegation to inspect, investigate and cross check the claims of the new leaked looks of the new Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu State and see the facilities installed.

"OYC appreciates the renovations and facilities at the airport, but, contrary to our expectations, there is no Night Landing facility at the airport. We wish to categorically reject any move to reopen the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu without Night landing facilities as the Igbo don't want to believe the rationale behind the release of the leaked pictures by FAAN was to fix a date for the reopening of the airport, when Night landing facilities are still missing and will deny direct international flights from any part of the world to connect Igbo land.

"We wish to alert the Igbo that they should pressurise the Minister of Aviation, Sirika Hadi, to resist any temptation to re open Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, except the Night Landing facilities are fixed; to ensure that international flights connect and land in Enugu."

He added: "As we confirmed from the contractor, there's no single night landing facility, which puts the status of Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu as a local airport. Any attempt to open the airport in June will be resisted by the Igbo.

"OYC commends President Muhammadu Buhari and Southeast Governors Forum, led by Governor Dave Umahi, for ensuring that necessary action was taken to upgrade the only functional international airport in the Southeast.

"However, we want to alert the Southeast Governors committee on Enugu Airport, chaired by Engr Chris Okoye, of the missing Night Landing facilities at the airport, which was deliberate and intentional. Igbo youths want the South East Governors to ensure that night landing facilities are fixed in Enugu Airport before re opening.

"We appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to direct Minister of Aviation, Sirika Hadi, to ensure that all night landing facilities are fixed before reopening; to avoid misinformation and misinterpretation regards to the reopening of the Enugu Airport."

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