Stakeholders in the Aviation industry have commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for his exceptional commitment to the development of the sector in the state and the South East geo-political zone for the safety of air travelers.
The stakeholders made the commendation during the inauguration of the access road to the Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Radio Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu constructed by Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration.
Ugwuanyi in furtherance of his administration’s efforts to encourage and ensure that the Federal Government comprehensively rehabilitated the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, last year, to function at optimum capacity and efficiency, for the safety of air travelers, among other time-honoured interventions, promised to reconstruct the VOR/DME access road for NAMA to aid its all-important operations at the site.
The governor fulfilled the promised and delivered to standard the access road to NAMA’s VOR/DME Navigational Aid Site and meteorological facilities, for safe landing of aircrafts at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, located behind NNPC depot, Emene.
Speaking during the inauguration of the road and other airport facilities, the Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, thanked Ugwuanyi for his commitment to airport development and safety in Enugu State in particular and South East in general.
Nnaji maintained that Ugwuanyi’s investment in the Aviation industry is outstanding and worthy of commendation, adding that the governor during the comprehensive rehabilitation of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, showed leadership and made a lot of sacrifices to ensure that the project was fully actualised.
In his speech, the Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt. Hamisu Rabiu Yadudu, also lauded Ugwuanyi for his remarkable contributions to the success story of the Aviation sector in Nigeria.
FAAN MD, who presented the Safety Ambassador Award and Outstanding Promoter of Air Safety Award to Ugwuanyi, on behalf of FAAN and NAMA respectively, described the governor as “a special leader” who has displayed vision and uncommon commitment to the industry.
He pointed out that the governor went extra miles to ensure that the Enugu airport rehabilitation was actualized for the benefit of the people of the South East and beyond.
In his goodwill message, the Air Officer Commanding, Ground Training Command Enugu, Air Vice Marshal Frank Goodnews Oparah, expressed gratitude to Gov. Ugwuanyi “for this marvelous job he has done in constructing this Aviation road”.
Oparah noted that the all-important road was hitherto in a deplorable condition, impassable and hindered the security operation of the Air force officers at the VOR navigation site until the recent intervention of Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration.
Also speaking, the Airspace Manager, NAMA, Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, Yohana lliya Namo, stated that the road was one of the critical issues the agency brought to the attention of Gov. Ugwuanyi that the governor addressed expressly for the safety of air travelers.
He appreciated the governor for his immeasurable support and pledged to sustain the trust and goodwill of the state government.
Other speakers at the event, such as the Chairman, South East Governors Forum Rehabilitation and Palliative Works, Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, Engr. Chris Okoye, the Enugu State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Greg Nnaji, the Airport Manager, FAAN, AIIA, Mrs. Cecilia Oguama, and the Chairman, Association of Heads of Federal Agencies in Enugu, Mrs. Lucy Ifeoma Ijeta, Chairman of Enugu East Local Government Area, Hon. Alex Ugwu, joined other stakeholders to applaud Gov. Ugwuanyi for his standing commitment to the progress of the Aviation sector.
Inaugurating the project, Gov. Ugwuanyi expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for approving and funding the rehabilitation of the Enugu airport, stressing that “this critical intervention remains abiding”.
Emphasizing the importance of the VOR/DME access road to safety of air travelers, the governor said: “I am glad that our administration successfully undertook the redesign and reconstruction of this road, to complement the laudable airport rehabilitation works undertaken by the Federal Government as well as enhance the safety of air travelers”.
Ugwuanyi added: “I enjoin the end users of this road particularly FAAN, NAMA and residents of Emene to take ownership of the new road and ensure its proper use. My administration reiterates its commitment to continuing provision of critical infrastructure for the benefit of all”.
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