The Anambra State Government has denied reports that the Federal Government is building an airport in the state.
In a statement by the State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C-Don Adinuba, the state government decided to dispel the claim “for purposes of historical accuracy.”
The statement read in part, “Anambra State Government officials have since early this morning (Tuesday) been inundated with inquiries by Nigerians throughout the country and beyond about a supposed claim by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, before the Senate Committee on Aviation yesterday (on Monday) that the Federal Government is building 10 airports in the country, including in Anambra State.
“Much as we are convinced that the minister was misrepresented in the news item, we consider it imperative to state certain key facts about ongoing airport development in the state for purposes of historical accuracy.
“The Federal Government is not building any airport in Anambra State, even though it appreciates the need for an airport in the state given the huge population and the universally acknowledged dynamism of the people who constantly travel around the world.
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“Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport at Umueri in Anambra East Local Government Area is being developed solely by the Anambra State Government.
“The Federal Government has been very cooperative in developing the airport. The state government, for instance, has been working closely with the Federal Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
“On October 5, 2020, Governor Willie Obiano, after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja, visited Minister Sirika where they discussed progress on the airport.”
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has revealed that the Federal Government would construct 10 new airports across the country to boost civil aviation.
Sirika made the disclosure when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Aviation to defend his Ministry’s 2021 budget proposals.
The Minister declared that the Federal Government would build new airports in Anambra, Benue, Ekiti, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, and Gombe states.
He also said that Kebbi, Osubi, and Dutse airports have been taken over by the Federal Government for redevelopment.
