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The Minister of state, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has said that the International Terminal being built in the South East will be commissioned next year.
The minister said this when a delegation of the South East Progressive Forum paid him a courtesy in his office.
Hadi Sirika also promised that he would look into the conditions of the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport Owerri and that of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu and effect repairs were necessary as soon as possible.
Continuing, the minister called for all hands to be put together to allow aviation in South East zone to be well catered for in order for trade and commerce be promoted. He said aviation is key to the Eastern Nigeria development as the area is landlocked.
Sirika assured the delegation that the lighting equipment at the airports will be put in place as he said ‘’I cannot understand why airplanes cannot land at the airports because of poor visibility’’
Concluding, the minister said partnership with the South East Progressive Forum was important as no one can ignore South East if desired change in aviation and the government in general has to be achieved.
The Chairman of the South East Progressive Forum, Hon. Bethel Nnaemeka Amadi, earlier, while congratulating the minister on his appointment said the Forum was made up of politicians, technocrats, community leaders and businessmen and women with representation from all the wards in all the local government areas in South East Nigeria.
Hon. Amadi said the focus of the Forum was seeing to the development and progress of the South East region and Nigeria as a whole. He added that the Forum have keyed into the Buhari’s administration vision for a new Nigeria and have worked to promote the need of partnership and unity in making sure that his vision for transparency and accountability in the management of the affairs of the nation come to fruition.
Hon.Amadi while commending the appointment of the minister as the best President Buhari made said that the Forum believe that the minister’s vision for the growth of Nigeria is in line with what the Forum stands for.
The South East Progressive Forum’s chairman commending the government for the airports in the South East, however said that the International status of the airports in the zone require lot more facilities, he said the Runway at International Airport in Enugu was in urgent need of repairs as the Runway that was constructed few years ago now has portholes and patchwork in it.
He also appealed to the government to make the status of the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport which is only in words a reality and look into the lightings at the airports.
The chairman pledged the support of the Forum to the minister and the administration in general. He said, “Your Excellency, as a group, we are here to partner with you, support ypu in whatever way you want us to work with you to make sure that the two airports in the South East zone are working optimally.
In related development, the minister received a delegation of the Ahmadu Bello University Student Union Government(ABUSUG) COMERADES ALUMNI , Ahmadu Bello University,Zaria also in his office.
The team which was led by Comrade (Engr.) Eragbe Anslem Aphimia, the Committee National Coordinator said the team came to congratulate the minister on his appointment and to wish him God speed and divine guidance in the discharge of the responsibilities of his esteemed office, to service of Nigerians and good of the nation, Nigeria.
The ABUSUG COMRADE ALUMNI comprises all the past students union government leaders in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, under the parent body of the ABU ALUMNI Associatio and Labour leaders in ministries, Department and Agencies.
Comrade (Engr.) Eragbe said the coming of the team was also to present to the minister the details of the organisation’s proposed national development strategy in support of President Muhammadu Buhari’s
“Change Mantra’’ for National Economic Renaissance Consequent Upon National Economic Diversification and Job Creation christened “Repositioning Nigeria for Econimic Diversification and Job Creation 2016-2020 with impact and manifestation’’ for onward transmission to the president.
The minister while appreciating the visit commended their effort and promised that the document presented to him will be delivered directly to the president. HE said he was opened to viable contribution at all times.
Iyogun Asobumeh Sunday
Principal Information Officer
For: DD (Press)
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