30th of April 2021 will forever remain in the history books of Anambra state as the day the maiden flight landed at the Anambra Int’l Cargo/Passenger Airport Umueri, Anambra East LGA as the Air Peace boss, Allen Onyema with his pilots landed at exactly 2:30 pm in the presence Governor Willie Obiano, Ndi-Anambra, members of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), commissioners, captains of industries, residents and indigenes of Umueri the host community, students and well wishes
Commissioner of works Anambra state, Engr. Marcel Ifediofor
Commissioner of works Anambra state, Engr. Marcel Ifediofor in an interview with newsmen, after the first flight landed at the Umueri Airport, emphasized the importance and the need for Ndi-Anambra to have an airport. He reiterated that it was a dream come true. “We have been working day and night, non-stop, looking forward to a day like this,” Ifediofor said
“This is the final test. This has shown that we did very good engineering work. We passed excellently because a very big aircraft landed at the airport. it is a credit to all of us. The major credit goes to governor Willie Obiano for his support, both morally and financially to make sure we got to this stage.”
On why the promise was fulfilled in a short time, the commissioner said, “Nine contractors and service providers are working at the airport. very good and excellent team. We worked for fifteen months without injuries. More than five hundred machines and more than fifty trucks, and not a single accident was recorded. It is wonderful because safety is number one. Any contractor that takes safety seriously, is a good contractor.”
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Speaking on the leadership of Governor Obiano, Ifediofor said, “He is a wonderful man. Ndi-Anambra has never had it so good. A very focused man, with a clear vision and mission and he is accomplishing all of them. He loves Ndi-Anaambra. This state is number one on security in the whole federation. We have the best road network and now we are building the best airport in sub-Sahara Africa. In a few months’ time, by God’s grace, we are going to commission this airport.”
On the importance of Umueri Airport to Ndi-Anambra, Ifediofor said, “Anambra people are the most traveled people in Nigeria. Up to eighty-five percent of passengers at Enugu and Asaba airport are Ndi-Anambra. Basically, we are traders, buying and selling, and involved in importation and exportation.
“This is a dream come true for Ndi-Anambra. Instead of going to Lagos, or Port Harcourt, or Owerri to clear your goods, we now have them now in our backyard. This airport is planted in such a way that we are going to have a lot of warehouses. Its very dear to the people of Anambra
In his speech at the event, Ifediofor outlines the percentage with which each department has completed. According to him, “When these projects started in late December 2019, his excellency Governor Willie Obiano promised the whole world especially Ndi-Anambra that we are going to deliver it in April 2021, and on the 30th of April, the Airport is delivered.
“This is a promise made and fulfilled. After several promises by the previous governments, Governor Obiano said enough is enough. The castle and runway are a hundred percent completed. I have worked with many people but I have never seen anyone like his Excellency Chief Willie Obiano.”
“This is the second-longest airport in Nigeria with the tallest control tower in Nigeria at forty-four by five meters.
“Even when the lights of the airport fail, we can still land safely,” the commissioner assured.
“0607 is the international code of Anambra Airport Umueri. The whole equipment to be used at the Anambra airport has been paid for. There are nine contractors at the Anambra airport and have all been paid. I thank Governor Obiano for giving us moral support, he visits this site three times every week.
“This is the only airport in Nigeria that doesn’t have a committee. We raised a committee at the ministry of works and made Governor Obiano the chairman of the committee. I am only the leader of this team. We promised that we are going to deliver and we have done so.”
“When the national committee on aviation came to the site, they were excited and confirmed that this is the best airport in sub-Sahara Africa. In the nearest future, we are going to commission this airport,” he concluded
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