Aviation Minister, FAAN Differ On N7billion Asaba Airport Project

DELTA STATE GOVERNOR EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN.

Asaba (THEWILL) - The Minister of Aviation Mr. Babatunde Omotoba over the weekend gave its approval to the on going N7 billion naira Asaba International Airport construction project in Delta State, saying the facilities at the airport are of high standards.

It will be recalled that the Federal Airport Authority of Nigerian (FAAN) the apex regulatory body in the aviation industry had faulted construction work at the airport during an inspection tour, saying that it was not consulted before the commencement of the project.

We were unable to confirm why the state government did not consult with FAAN before it commenced construction at the airport, as no ministry of information personnel was willing to speak on that particular matter saying, they had put that controversy behind them since the government and the aviation agency had sorted their differences.

Mr. Omotoba while touring the facility, alongside top members of his ministry and Delta State Deputy Governor, Professor Amos Utuama commended the state government for taking the initiative to build the airport, saying it will boost transportation in the country. He promised to give the state government all the support required to successfully complete and commission the airport. 

Utuama in his speech explained that the airport project which has both passenger and cargo handling facilities was aimed at facilitating easy movement of persons and cargo within and outside the country, adding that it was a testimony of the human capital development strand of the Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan’s three-point agenda.

The Asaba International Airport which is due for commissioning next year is expected to ease the stress usually encountered in moving goods by Onitsha traders and business men who are mostly international traders.