Soludo Uplifting Of Airport For Economic Unravelling Of Anambra – Says Dr Mefor

ROSE ORANYE 

Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, paid a working visit to the Chinụa Achebe International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri.

The Commissioner, who was received and conducted around the airport by the Managing Director of the airport, Martins Nwafor, lauded the efforts of the MD in the operations of the facility, adding that Ndị Anambra are lucky to have a diplomat and international aviator of repute to be in charge of the airport.

Mefor noted that 400,000 passengers in 7000 flights in 2-3 years without night flights is quite impressive and assured of the Soludo Government’s continued support of the facility, even as he announced Mr Governor’s plan to construct a VIP Lounge in the airport in a matter of weeks.

According to Mefor: “You are doing quite well. Of course, the support of the Soludo government is obvious. Naturally, you would expect more. I’m aware that more is coming. For example, the governor wants to construct a VIP lounge in a matter of weeks from now. Mr. Governor wants it so the VIPs using the Anambra Airport can have that VIP treatment in the real sense. And of course, you also mentioned the night landing facility. I know a contract has been awarded so that the flights can land at night here. Once that is done, it becomes possible for you to expand the volume of your operations. What you have done so far—400,000 passengers in 2-3 years without night flights—is quite impressive. By the time you can land flights at night, you could double your passengers.

“You hit the bull’s eye when you talked about an airport being an enabler in economic development. The Soludo administration recognises that fact. That is why the governor is giving this level of attention to the airport. I believe that between now and next year, so much will be done beyond the things I have said. It’s because he recognises that the airport is pivotal to his plan for major economic unravelling and transformation of Anambra State. Soludo wants to reverse the trend—Anambra as a departure point to Anambra as a destination for investors and tourists.”

Mefor maintained that the Anambra Mixed Use Industrial City, or simply Anambra Industrial Park, was all about economic and industrial unravelling and transformation of the state, and the airport was crucial to the actualisation of the industrial, rebranding, and tourism objectives of the government.

Earlier, the Managing Director of the airport, Martins Nwafor, said that only two commercial airlines were currently using the airport and that plans are underway to bring in more airlines.

He said the airport has the best runway in Nigeria with a total distance of 3.7 kilometres, the second longest in Nigeria with 45 meters of width, which is the capacity for Boeing 748-800 series aircraft.

“And we have a well-calibrated instrument landing system, including a localiser and glide slope, and a very high-frequency omnidirectional radio range. These give the direction and bearing to flights.

“Our departure hall can take about 400 passengers, our arrival hall can take about 600 passengers at a time with ICAO facilitation standard, while our car park can take about 750 cars even though we don’t see the cars,” he said.

He disclosed that the Chinua Achebe Airport was planning an airport trade fair between Dec. 1st and 7th, which would be the third anniversary of commercial operations at the airport.

According to him, the fair would be an opportunity for flight operators, passengers, and the general public to showcase their products and interact for economic and social benefits, even as the anniversary would mark the unveiling of the airport name and also the unveiling of the statue of Chinua Achebe.