JUBILATION, AS ENUGU AIRPORT RECORDS FIRST INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT THE thunderous jubilation and praises from the enthusiastic crowd that gathered Saturday was enough to herald the commencement of international commercial flights at the remodeled Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. Indeed, the sea of human heads that defied security arrangements, as they surged forward to witness the landing of the first Ethiopian aircraft at the airport, signified the end of many years of waiting and unfulfilled promises, by successive governments, of an international airport for the south east geo political zone. And to underscore the importance of an international airport to the South East Zone, all their political leaders, business and captains of industry came out in their numbers to witness the historic ceremony and landing of the international flight. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, led other government appointees from the zone, including Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Finance Minister), Prof Chinedu Nebo (Power), Chukwuemeka Wogu (Labour and Productivity), and Stella Oduah (Aviation). Governors Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Theodore Orji (Abia), Martin Elechi (Ebonyi) and Peter Obi (Anambra), were also there. Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, however, shunned the event and neither sent a representative. Reason (s) for his absence also remained uncertain as at the time of going to press, even though the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, was present. The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, led the crème of the National Assembly members to the venue. Also available were traditional, religious leaders and private sector operators, including the billionaire businessman, Chief Arthur Eze, whose private jet flew directly from Senegal into the Enugu International Airport. The white colour Boeing 737 -800 Ethiopian aircraft, with registration number ET-APL had landed at the airport at exactly 12.14 pm with 15 passengers onboard to the waiting hands of officials of government. But there was panic among the spectators when two fire-fighting trucks that were positioned few metres away started releasing water from opposite directions around the taxi-way as some people thought that the unexpected was about to happen. It took an explanation of the officials of the Nigerian Airspace Agency that it was normal during international landing for calm to be restored among the agitating crowd. Driven by 39-year old Ethiopian Captain, Berhanu Gobere Zena, the 158-passenger-capacity aircraft took off again at exactly 2.30 pm, after spending about two hours and 16 minutes for the ceremonies. Zena said that he had been flying in the last 13 years and had flown the Boeing 737-800 for two and half years, adding that the airline would operate four flights per week on Enugu route, including Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. He described Enugu runway as “very new”, adding that he had four cabinet members on board. On board the aircraft were Ekweremadu, Chime, Elechi and their aides as well as other passengers travelling to various countries of the world. Obi who though confirmed that he bought ticket to travel with the flight, said he decided to stay back following the congress of the primaries of parties being held in Anambra State. Secretary to Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, while extolling President Jonathan on the airport, said that many promises had been made in the past, saying it was a great life accomplishment for the people of the Southeast. Minister Odua expressed happiness over the realization of the airport, saying that it would impart positively on the development of the southeast. “This is a confirmation that what President Goodluck Jonathan says, he does. He told the southeasterners that they would get this after all these years, he has done it for them. All thanks to him.” She said that there are about seven airlines already indicating interest to fly the Enugu route, adding that the area is a viable one that would continue to live in the minds of Ndigbo. She said effort was being made to complete other facilities at the airport. For Governor Peter Obi, “everybody from the southeast will say today (yesterday) that this is our greatest moment”, adding that the airport was viable as the aircraft had been fully booked for two weeks and congratulated the president for delivering to his promise. “We saw today various passengers from Rome, from London, from Dubai and they landed here safely. We have here several passengers travelling with this aircraft outside the country and you can imagine it”, he said.
Posted on: Sun, 25 Aug 2013 08:12:34 +0000
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