The Commissioner for Aviation and Transport technology, Mrs Ngozi Obichukwu has said that no amount of criticism on the Chuba Okadigbo airport by social media critics can stop the governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru from completing his eight years tenure in the state.
Obichukwu equally insisted that the Chuba Okadigbo airport remains the best in flight operations in the South East region, adding that the airport within six months has recorded no fewer than 45 aircraft taken off and landing safely without hiccups.
"Let us give him (Nwifuru) the support, not by castigating.You cannot bring him down as a governor. He's already a governor. And I want to tell you, he's coming for the second time. And after the second term, he's going to Abuja.
"So, whatever you are doing, whatever you are saying in the social media, either to castigate him or to bring him down, you're bringing yourself down. Whatever you write on social media can never bring Nwifuru down, it can never reduce him from being governor.
The aviation commissioner, Obichukwu who reacted on the closure of Akanu-Ibiam international airport Enugu, and selection of alternative airports by the regulatory bodies, said they have rights to decide or choose whichever airports they wants, adding that there is no problem or hiccups with Chuba Okadigbo's airport.
Obichukwu who made this known to newsmen in Abakaliki capital of Ebonyi State, commended the governor, Francis Nwifuru for his prudence, transparency to ensure that the Chuba Okadigbo airport becomes the most viable Airport in the SouthEast region, and however, for securing a chartered flight operation permits for the state.
"As it is now, from that October till this period, His Excellency, our dear Governor Nwifuru has been able to obtain what we call the chartered flight operation permit.And it is difficult for even the other airport that started with us to get even one. We have been able to get two from October to January, from January to March, and now from March to July.
"Any other flights that may wish to enter our airport are highly allowed. But will you follow the rules? Will you be on that charter? Recall that the airlines and aircraft operation is business-like. So they are willing to come to pick their passengers here, but the issue of the regulatory bodies that must permit them to come here and pick.
"So, I want to tell our people, both within a Ebonyi state and outside, that our governor, Francis Nwifuru, has not aired or delayed anybody from the utilization of this wonderful edifice, and the security and safety is granted.We are only trying to abide by what the regulatory bodies demand us to do.
"The regulatory bodies are the ones delaying us.They will be here to tell us they are done, because over 170 booklets that need to be given to us by them are not yet ready. They are the ones holding those booklets.
"We call it the regulatory operation booklets. Not until they complete all the write-ups will they now give. Recently, they've started sending the normal bodies that are in charge of the air, both the NAMA, both the aerodrome, both the NIMET, FAM, AVSEC, and all the rest of the staff are now coming in.
"If the regulatory bodies decide that they are using whichever airportthey want to use, that is their decision. It has nothing to do with any mistake or any problem, either in Anambra, in Ebonyi, or Owere. They have every right constitutionally to decide where they can do what they want to do.Enugu State's stoppage of landing doesn't mean thatEnugu Airport has fallen. They have to do what they ought to do for security and safety.
"So why are we in a hurry to do something that will bring about problems to the entire state and the entire country?I want to plead with us, Ebonyians, both those that are visitors and those that are indigenous and those that are outside Ebonyi, all the South East, we are doing the best for the South East. Our dear governor, is standing up to do the best so that lives will be saved, so that lives will be secured.
"We cannot get up and rush things now. If you cannot travel by air, there is no place that it is written you must travel by air. You can use any other means.If you cannot use Asaba, there is Owere. They didn't ban Owere. They didn't ban Anambra.
"But for Ebonyi State, there is nothing wrong and there is no problem. And our governor is working day and night to ensure that we attain that which is stipulated for us, to ensure that we gain that which he had worked for. Nobody loves to waste money.
"I'm assuring you that this international airport will be the best across the country when the time comes.Right now, His Excellency is working to ensure that we have the airfield lights, the runway airfield lights, which is the major thing that will happen. Ebonyi will start having flights by night. Operationally, we are on for 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., as it is given to us by the regulatory bodies.
"But once we complete the runway light, international flights, local flights, chartered flights, and commercial flights can come in even at 12 midnight. We have capable hands that are working. The Ministry of Aviation has all it takes to run the airport" she stated.
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