•Governor Umo Eno and Aviation minister Festus Keyamo
Two-and-a-half months to the take-off date for international flights from the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State government has confirmed its readiness to accomplish the task according to plans.
This assurance was made February 12, 2026, when the State Commissioner of Finance who doubles as Commissioner for Special Duties, Emem Bob, led a high-powered technical team to inspect the progress of work in the international wing of the airport.
The inspection covered critical infrastructure and operational areas, including the access road within the terminal building, parking lot, apron, taxiway, security/operational perimeter fencing, Smart Internet installation, as well as the power transmission and transformer area and medium voltage power panels, among others.
Bob, who earlier had a strategic technical meeting with all contractors and engineers on site to appraise the level of work done, said with the smooth pace of work, he was very optimistic that the April timeline would be met.
He said the governor is very committed to delivering the world class facility for international use within the stipulated timeframe, noting that the current status report of the project gives confidence that the April timeline for international operations is realistic and realisable.
”We are here today to inspect and assess key operational areas, identify infrastructure gaps if any, and ensure timely interventions to guarantee a seamless take-off of international flights at the stipulated deadline”, the commissioner said.
Responding to questions from reporters, the commissioner said that the Committee, headed by the Secretary to the State Government, was performing extremely well. He added that inspections would continue now on a more regular pace up to the commencement of international operations in April.
The Chairman of VKS Construction Ltd, the company handling the major aspects of the job, Engr. Oliver Ebong said that he was optimistic that the terminal would be ready for use by the end of March, ahead of the April deadline.
Recall that following a technical assessment visit by a federal government team led by the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, Governor Umo Eno had inaugurated a committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, to oversee the full implementation of the international status of the Victor Attah International Airport.
