A group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has expressed displeasure with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) over the sudden closure of the runway at Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) in Enugu.
FAAN announced the closure of the airport to pave the way for the rehabilitation of the runway, reports The Guardian.
•Poor state of Enugu Airport runway
However, the Igbo group, in a statement, expressed disdain that the runway was being closed for the third time in less than 15 years.
National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Ezechi Chukwu, while condemning the timing of the closure of the airport, stated that it was coming at a time that coincided with the Easter festivities, “when air travel typically sees a significant increase among Ndigbo and other travellers.”
Chukwu described the decision as “unpatriotic and unfair” to regular users of the airport, particularly the Igbo community.
He added, “While we understand that safety is paramount, the timing of this closure could have been better managed to avoid disrupting the travel plans of many.”
Expressing concern for the frequent collapse of the runway, Ohanaeze Ndigbo called for the immediate intervention of President Bola Tinubu to release funds for a comprehensive reconstruction of the runway.
“We need a lasting solution rather than the makeshift efforts we’ve seen over the years,” Chukwu added.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo urged FAAN to conduct thorough inspections of all airport runways across the nation to prevent accidents that could jeopardise passenger safety.
“We appeal to Chief Festus Keyamo SAN, the Honourable Minister of Aviation, to acknowledge that the Akanu Ibiam International Airport is still incomplete, with minimal work done by previous federal administrations,” Chukwu said.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo commended the efforts of the Enugu State Government and reiterated its hope that the current administration would expedite the completion and operationalisation of the airport in line with international best practices.
“We look forward to the successful completion of the project within the stated timeframe,” they said
FAAN announced the emergency closure in a statement released late on Friday, citing a “sudden and significant rupture in the asphalt surface” as the reason for the repairs, which are scheduled to take place from today April 22 to May 6, 2025.
