Southeast Traders Express Concern Over The Proposed Closure OF Enugu Airport

Southeast Traders Express Concern Over The Proposed Closure OF Enugu Airport

The South-East Amalgamated Traders Association (S.E.A.M.A.T.A) have expressed dismay at the closure of Akanu Ibiam airport Enugu, for ninety days.

S.E.A.M.A.T.A. while reacting to the closure, made a press release specially signed by the President General of S.E.M.A.T.A, Chief Chidozie Akudolu (Iroko), detailing why the closure of the airport should not be for the duration of ninety days.

Below is the full text of the press release;

The South-East Amalgamated Markets Traders Association (S.E.A.M.A.T.A) received with rude shock, the devastating news of the closure of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, first, indefinitely and later for ninety days.

It is a public knowledge that this all-important airport remains the gateway of our esteemed members to their business destinations especially outside the country. The proximity of the airport to our business locations, with the security situation in our country today, cannot be over-emphasised.

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It will be recalled that the first international flight from this airport in 2013, had our members making up over 85% of the passengers on board of that inaugural flight.

Much as the reason for the closure of the airport is to fix the failed portions of the airport runway, that will guarantee the safety of the passengers and the aircraft, it is our considered opinion that this could be effectively and efficiently achieved within less than sixty days.

Furthermore, the Association is calling on all the relevant authorities to professionally establish the cause of the failure of this runway within so short a time of its construction for a lasting solution, considering the inconveniences the closure of the airport cause the teeming passengers and the huge revenue loss to the government.

This Association most humbly and respectfully calls on the Federal Government to please review the period of closure of this airport to sixty days.

The traders in the South East shall remain the worst affected while the closure of this airport lasted, more so, as we approach the end of the year with its attendant rise in the tempo of business activities.

Thank you.
Chief Gozie Akudolu
(Iroko)
President General.