The Nigerian government on Sunday reopened Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, runway to flight operations.
Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika, during the official opening ceremony in Enugu, said domestic flight would start immediately while international flights would begin on September 5.
Sirika said the project cost the Nigerian government N10 billion.
“We are proud to say that this project is indeed a testimony to Mr President’s commitment to infrastructure development in the country,” Sirika said.
“You may recall that the runway of this essential airport, which is vital to economic development of the region and the whole country at large, was in a very dilapidated stage and worse condition”.
“This raised serious safety concern. It was on this basis that I approached President Muhammadu Buhari on the urgent need to reconstruct the runway and other associated works,” he said.
Sirika commended the President’s instant approval of N10 billion to undertake the rehabilitation of the runway and some associated works.
According to him, the project consisted of taxiway, link way, emergency operation centre, car park, entrance of the gate, perimeter fence, perimeter road, terminal building rehabilitation, pilot lounge, and instrument landing system that will allow landing during bad weather.
Sirika said others are communication device, new DHF radio and rescue equipment among others.
The minister said the focus would now be on delivering the Cargo terminal, the international terminal building and many more in the airport soonest.
He added that he had approved N1 billion to continue the terminal building expansion being done by the Chinese.