FIC Report (Abia State) – The President was represented by the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamo, who disclosed this during the groundbreaking ceremony for Abia Airport at Nsulu, Isialanqwa North local government area of Abia state.
The Abia State Governor ,Alex Otti, OFR, alongside the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Kayamo (SAN) performed the ground-breaking ceremony of the Abia Airport Project at Nsulu in Isialangwa North LGA as a Federal Government Project in collaboration with Abia State Government.
The infrastructural development agenda of Governor Alex Otti’s administration received a momentous boost as the Federal Government, in partnership with the Abia State Government, upgraded the Abia Airport to the International Cargo airport.
The President said that the project was upgraded from an Airstrip to an International Cargo Airport.
He described the Airport as a presidential initiative as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu instructed that no part of the country, particularly the South East, should be denied aviation development.
The Minister said that the president specifically requested an Airstrip for Abia state in the 2024 budget due to his affection for Abia state and its Governor to ensure that Abia state is connected to the rest of the world through the Aviation project.
He also said that Abia state expressed willingness to partner with the federal government through counterpart funding to upgrade the project to an International Cargo Airport.
“Abia state, being the industrial hub of the South East zone, needs an Airport which would serve as a veritable enabler for economic and social development, adding that most Nigeria products are produced in Abia.
He said that funds have been allocated in the 2024 budget to commence clearing and development and that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu has assured prompt approval of subsequent funding in the 2025 budget.
In his speech, the Governor of Abia state, Dr. Alex Otti reaffirmed Abia state’s commitment to utilizing the synergy with the federal government to drive sustainable development initiatives, which would help to revolutionalize the economy of the state.
“We committed that under our watch, Abia state will never let any promising opportunities slip by whether it is collaborating with multilateral partners, the federal government and its Agencies, sister states, business organizations, and individuals who have something of value to offer us.
“We are constantly open to making the most of the opportunities we find because there lies the tenth to sustainable progress,” Otti said.
Governor Otti thanked the president for his commitment to boosting the social and economic advancement of the zone.
Otti said that the project would be completed in 36 months and thanked everyone who contributed to making the project a reality.
In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker of House of Representative, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu expressed confidence that the project would be completed in a record time because Abia is blessed with a governor who understands the importance of synergistic partnership.
Hon. Kalu said that he would work assiduously with his colleagues in the House to ensure that funds appropriated for the project would be given speedy approval by the House of Representatives.
The new airport is a signature project that will permanently alter both the transport and economic landscape of the state.
When completed, the airport will transform the state’s transport system by enhancing connectivity through air-travel and providing job opportunities for Abians and residents through investments in the tourism and hospitality sector.
All the peace-loving and progressive- minded people of Nsulu Community, Women and Youths Groups, Presidents’ Generals of Town Unions from Isiala Ngwa North and South, Religious and Traditional Rulers ,the Abia Business Community, the Chambers of Commerce, Heads of Federal and State Establishments, Captains of Industry, Commanders of the uniformed forces in the state and all Government Appointees attended the ceremony.
Signed
Abiakam Gloria Ify,
HOC, FIC, Abia State.
