Politics
THE Anambra Civil Society Network, ACSONET, a platform for citizens and non State Actors, has implored the federal government to ensure that the Umueri international Cargo and Passengers Airport, is opened to public use before the Nov. 6 governorship election in Anambra State.
The Chairman of the group, Chris Azor, who doubles as the National Coordinator, Coalition on Improving Service Delivery, NACOISED, while exchanging to newsmen after a monitoring and evaluation exercise said that the terminal building of the airport is finally ready for public use.
Azor notes on July 12, the minister of finance, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed and the minister of industry, trade and investment, Niyi Adebayo, flew into the state through the airport, on their way to the inauguration of some projects at Innoson Motors factory, Nnewi.
He said that opening the airport before the upcoming governorship election would address the current security challenges, while assisting INEC in delivering free, fair, credible and peaceful election, through prompt arrival of election materials and sundry logistics.
The citizens’ advocate explained that delivering free, fair, credible and peaceful elections was at the core of good governance and service delivery, which must not be compromised under any guise.
The Anambra State Government, under Gov. Willie Obiano completed the construction of an airport within 15 months and test run same.
The airport is one of the most modern airports in Africa at 3.7 kilometers long and 60 metre wide, the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri has one of the longest runways in Nigeria.
The airport terminal is designed to accommodate 400 persons. It has three floors fitted with escalators and lifts for smooth and easy movement. It was designed with the possibilities of a future expansion in mind.
The Apron measures 300x200m x560mm of reinforced concrete that can take six sizable aircraft at once.
The Apron is serviced by two standard taxiways that measure 35m wide with shoulders. It also has three ultramodern firefighting trucks and three 6×6 Crash-tender with 770hp. The car park can comfortably take 400 cars.
The ACSONET Chair explained that the airport is currently being equipped with an Instrument Landing System, ILS, which guarantees safe landing for airplanes at night, as an outstanding feature.
He, however, assured that the organised Civil Society would ensure regular Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting of projects and service delivery, for transparency and accountability.
“Considering the current security challenges and the need for INEC, the election management body to deliver a free, fair, credible and violence-free election in the state on Nov. 16.
“It is advocated that the federal government opens up the airport for use, before, during and after the governorship election,’’ Azor said.
– July 22, 2021 @ 17:18 GMT /
Tags: We want Anambra airport functional ahead of polls -- Civil Society tells FG
