The Anambra State Government said it will construct another airport at Ndikelionwu, Orumba North Local Government Area of the state, less than four years after the inauguration of the Chinua Achebe International Cargo Airport, Umeri.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Achebe airport project was officially launched on April 11, 2017, with construction finishing three years later and formal inauguration performed by former Governor Willie Obiano on October 30, 2021.
But the Managing Director, Chinua Achebe Cargo International Airport, Mr Martins Nwafor, told newsmen on Friday during an inspection visit at the local government that another airport will be constructed in Ndikelionwu by the state.
Nwafor said that the initiative was part of the present administration’s programme to transform the state into a smart megacity.
“The project will also attract investments by combining the aviation infrastructure with surrounding commercial, residential and logistics facilities to create a dynamic airport-driven city,” he said.
According to him, having more than one airport in the state will give room for industrialisation and fast-track the overall development of the state.
He explained that the visit was to identify a suitable, flyable location where the state government can develop another airport and industrial park, associated with an aerotropolis.
Nwafor, who doubles as chairman of the new Airport and Aerotropolis Committee set up by the state government, emphasised that the project would be a game changer as it would break the untapped economic opportunities in the state.
Leaders of the host community, including former President-General of the Ndikelionwu Welfare Association, Fabian Nwosu, and the association’s vice president, Ifesinachi Onwurah, in their separate speeches, thanked the government for siting such a project that would create massive job opportunities in their community.
They assured, on behalf of their community, to support the government in realising the project.
Government officials present during the visit included the Managing Director, Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company Limited, Prof. Charles Ofoegbu, Senior Special Adviser to the state governor on security, Retired AVM Ben Chiobi, architect and founder of Sliding Towers, Mr Chukwudi Ezenwa.
Also present to provide mapping of the location were geologists and geophysicists from the Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company Limited
NAN
