The Imo state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has, on behalf of the government and people of the state expressed gratitude to President Mohammadu Buhari for giving approval for the upgrading of the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport to an International Cargo Airport and also with the directive from the president that works at the airport to that effect, should commence immediately.
Against the backdrop of the President Buhari’s approval for the upgrading of the airport and the directive that works at the airport for that purpose should commence without delay, the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Hajia Binta Adamu Bello Thursday visited the airport on inspection for works to commence immediately and with Governor Okorocha conducting her round the airport.
Taking the permanent secretary round on inspection of the facilities at the airport, Governor Okorocha said the long-time dream of Imo people to see the airport upgraded to International Cargo Airport is about to be a dream come true, and thanked President Buhari for seeing the need to upgrade the airport and giving approval to that effect.
Governor OKorocha added that his government would work hand-in-glove with the federal ministry of Aviation to ensure that all that could be needed for the early and successful completion of the project would be provided.
According to the governor “when the project is completed it will go a long way in alleviating the plight of traders and business operators in the South-East zone who have to go to Lagos to clear their goods and take several hours to come down to the zone by road. It will also generate much revenue for the country.”
He continued, “It is revealing to know that a cargo scanner was already in place for the airport. I urge the team to ensure that it is installed as soon as possible. I also want to appeal to the host community to be patriotic and cooperate fully for this project. The police station at the airport is going to be given a facelift that would be befitting to the new status of the airport. We won’t leave any stone unturned. There will also be the full presence of military and paramilitary personnel with patrol vans to be made available for their operations.”
The permanent secretary, federal Ministry of Aviation, Hajia Bello in her speech said the super structures of the Cargo terminal will soon arrive, explaining that once the foundation is completed, the super structures will just be fixed. She equally said that all the contractors handling the cargo terminal have been paid up to eighty percent of the total sum of the contracts.
According to Hajia Bello, apart from the fact that the new status of the airport when fully completed would increase economic activities, it will also create employment opportunities among other benefits.
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