By Deborah Nnamdi
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has revealed that Governor Alex Otti rejected a Federal Government proposal to construct an airstrip in Abia State, choosing instead to pursue the development of a full-fledged international airport through a counterpart funding arrangement.
Keyamo disclosed during the official unveiling of two Boeing 737-800NG aircraft acquired by United Nigeria Airlines in Lagos.
According to the minister, the Federal Government had initially included the construction of an airstrip in Abia State in the 2024 budget as part of efforts to expand aviation infrastructure across the country. He said the decision followed his recommendation to President Bola Tinubu, noting that Abia was the only state in the South-East without either an airport or an airstrip.
Keyamo explained that Otti later approached the President with a proposal to upgrade the project into an international airport, offering counterpart funding from the state government.
“When we came to power, I went to Mr President saying Abia does not have an airstrip or an airport in the whole of the South-East. So, he told me to put it in the budget. In the 2024 budget, we put the Abia airstrip as one of our first projects,” Keyamo said.
He added that Otti requested that the funds earmarked for the airstrip be redirected towards the construction of a full international airport in Umuahia, with the state government contributing substantial funding to the project.
The minister said the airport project had already commenced and noted that the Abia State Government had so far contributed more funds than the Federal Government.
Keyamo also disclosed ongoing efforts to establish the first direct international cargo flight between Guangzhou, China, and the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu State.
He said the initiative was being pursued in collaboration with Governor Peter Mbah as part of plans to transform Enugu into a major cargo hub for the South-East region.
According to him, negotiations are underway to launch the service by December, a move expected to ease the movement of goods for traders, particularly those conducting business in China.
The proposed cargo route, he said, would enable traders to consolidate shipments in Guangzhou and have them transported directly to Enugu for distribution to major commercial centres such as Onitsha and Aba.
