Angela Nwaeze Mbaocha
Aviation Ministry has written to Ebonyi state government conveying approval for the construction of International Airport in the state.
The letter was signed by the Director of Safety and Technical Policy, Capt T A Alkali, of the Ministry.
The Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, gave the approval after Gov. David Umahi’s visit to the Ministry on Thursday August 5, 2019.
The Minister in the letter stated that the approval followed the visit of a Technical team from the ministry and its agencies to the state on inspection of the proposed site for the airport.
He reiterated that the approval was subject to the State Government’s fulfillment of certain requirements for an airport construction, while listing the requirements for the construction.
The letter reads, “I am directed to convey approval of the Honourable Minister of Aviation for the construction of a state owned/financed International Airport on the inspected site.
“Issuance of Security Clearance from the Department of State Services (DSS); removal of all obstructions on the site and involvement of the Ministry and its relevant agencies at every stage of the development of the airport to ensure compliance with Standards and Recommend Practices (SARPs).”
“Strict compliance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority requirements; compliance with all relevant environmental regulations, adherence to the provisions of the subsisting Civil Aviation Act 2006, Nigeria Civil Aviation Policy 2013 and other regulations that may evolve with time; and payment of statutory fees.
Recall that about five communities in Ezza South and North Council Areas of the state would be affected by the construction of the airport.
It will be sighted on a boundary between Ezza south and Ezza north.
The airport, when completed, will play host to two out of the top three market hubs in the country located in Aba, Abia State and Onitsha Anambra state.
