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Thoughts On The Politics Of The Anambra Airport And Governor Obiano

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By: Ebuka Onyekwelu

As expected, the Anambra International Airport, Umueri which test flight successfully landed and took off a few days ago has drawn several commentaries. One must however admit that the argument, fanfare on the part of government supporters, and dismissal on the part of most opposition of this project, are not altogether unforeseen considering that the expectations of Anambra people of their government are admittedly low. Simple road construction would be enough for most people to agree that the government has worked hard. This could be as a result of years of misrule, impunity, and official corruption which has attained near normalcy throughout Nigeria.

But again, in this particular instance, many people have given up on the current government led by Willie Obiano on the premise that he would not do much, except some smokescreen, make-belief, politically driven last-minute action, to save face and see if he would be able to install a successor. And so the shock that Obiano was able to deliver cannot be dismissed. But also, politics is divisive and by that mere fact, many people would find anything at all they can get hold of, to discredit even the most perfect public infrastructure in the name of opposition politics.

Read Also: National Assembly Scores Obiano High on Anambra Airport

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True to it, the former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, did engage in some last-minute performance. For instance, he waited for seven years, even close to his exit from office to conduct local government elections. It was also towards the election that brought the current governor to office in 2014, that the former governor went all out doling out cars, buses, giving monetary support and among others, to schools and other private and public institutions, which was then read, and rightly so, as a politically motivated ‘charity, or maybe, responsibility. Although that was not the first time the governor was doing so, yet was still construed as politically motivated.

However, the conduct of local government election at the twilight of Peter Obi’s administration, as well as employment of thousands of new staff into the state civil service, were clearly motivated or orchestrated to water the ground, in order to secure public support for his party, and then to win the governorship. Indeed, many at that time saw it as a government bazaar. But in all, they now count as part of achievements of the past administration and rightly so. Truth therefore is; whatever a government does for the public counts for the government, irrespective of the motive behind it. In the end, it is a plus and not a minus.

Anambra int'l airport

For the Anambra International Airport project, many have argued that it is a misplacement of priority by the governor and the government. But the fact is that the infrastructure development priority of every government is set by the government’s agenda, from the onset. The implication is that it is the government that sets its priority based on its own agenda, upon which, presumably, the government was voted in the first instance. Then also, there is an argument that the money expended in constructing the Airport should have been invested in other public infrastructures like road construction and rehabilitation. Even when the government can complete the Airport and still construct/rehabilitate roads that calls for repairs. This speaks only to the level of poor expectation of the government by the governed. The Airport is not opposed to road rehabilitation and construction. In fact, essential roads in need of urgent repairs can be attended to by the Anambra Road Maintenance Agency. Government should and can do so many things at the same time. Anambra state cannot be on hold because there is Airport project going on.

Read Also: Anambra Airport: We Don’t Need Any Financial Assistance, Obiano Tells FG

The argument that the airport is not profitable does not arise.

The new Anambra Airport is not a private property of Willie Obiano. It is a public (facility) property belonging to Anambra state, not the governor. The Airport is public investment and infrastructure that is being provided by the government; hence, the argument that the airport is not profitable does not arise. The fact is; public infrastructures do not have to be profitable. Government’s primary aim of building public infrastructure is not for its profitability. No. Government devices means to generate money from defined sources and then invest same in developing infrastructures that uplift the living conditions of her people and which the people can take advantage of, and exploit for business and profitability. Therefore the assumption that government must invest in public infrastructure primarily for its own profitability is fundamentally flawed. Since government is not good at managing any business venture, it is enough to have government provide critical investments, or in other words, invest in strategic infrastructure, which amounts to creating the enabling environment that will empower and enable her citizens to undertake profitable business ventures, make profits and then pay taxes to the government.

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But then, considering that the Anambra governorship election is just six months ahead, admittedly, the Airport ought to be construed as a political stunt. However, in any case, this is not the usual political stunt, one must say. On the contrary, it is one of substance, and one that has now as sure, distinguished Obiano for all time, in the annals of governance in Anambra state. In three months as speculated, if the governor and his team are able to complete the airport and commission it for public use, then, that it is. What will thereafter be left is for Anambra industrialists and business community to take full advantage of the infrastructure for business and profitability, and then pay taxes to the government.

Read Also: Obi Of Onitsha: Traders Most Beneficiaries Of Anambra Cargo Airport

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Obiano should finish this phase to enable the incoming government to start on its own note and finish as well.

As for the assumption that since there is an Airport in Enugu, Asaba, and Owerri, the Anambra Airport in Umueri is needless. The fact looks different. Awka is the closest city to Enugu Airport from Anambra state and from Awka to Enugu Airport is not less than one hour, but from Awka to Anambra International Airport in Umueri is less than thirty minutes. Then, from Awka to Asaba Airport is at least one hour, but if there is holdup at Onitsha head-bridge, then, you might as well spend hours and likely going to miss your flight. Awka to Owerri Airport is more than two hours, thirty minutes. My point exactly is that for most urban centres and villages in Anambra state, it is easier and better for them to use Anambra International Airport, Umueri, than Enugu, Asaba, or Owerri Airports. The problem of logistics is another challenge many travelers are faced with, using these three nearest Airports to Anambra state. But, once fully functional, the Anambra International Airport will put a stop to these challenges.

For now, the concern is for the government not to rely on the fanfare of successful test flight and relapse, believing that the next government should complete the project. Governor Obiano should go all out to complete the project and commission it for use by members of the public before he exits. This is important so that the next governor can focus on other aspects of infrastructure development. For the Airport to live up to its full designation as a cargo and passenger international Airport, then, it is going to be a marathon, and this is understandable. But Obiano should finish this phase to enable the incoming government to start on its own note and finish as well.

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With this achievement, governor Obiano has earned an enviable spot in the chronicles of Anambra times. He has firmly reclaimed his place in the history of Anambra’s development and it is only fair that this is acknowledged. Upon completion, Anambra state government should hands-off from managing the facility directly. Once completed and commissioned for use by members of the public, it is the people that will take advantage of that infrastructure for business and profit, and then pay taxes to the government.

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