The federal government has said that it has concluded plans to carry out comprehensive rehabilitation of the runway of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
This was disclosed by the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Muhtar Usman who said that the runway has gone through a lot of short term repairs but to ensure that it continues to meet international standards, government has to embark on comprehensive rehabilitation of the airport.
The Director General made this known on Wednesday after inspection tour of the facility and other safety critical infrastructure at the airport.
Usman said NCAA and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigerian (FAAN) were prompted to visit and inspect the airport facilities following the call by the governors of the South East states for urgent action on the runway.
The governors described the runway as death trap.
But Usman said the runway is safe and that is why the regulatory authority allowed flights at the airport, noting that Ethiopia Airlines operates international flights three times a day from the airport.
“If maintenance has not been done according to standards and renewals have not taken place as and when due, we certainly will have some failures like this. Last year, Abuja runway was closed down as a result of similar problems. Short time maintenance has been going on for the past two years to ensure that the safety level is maintained. In the runway we just passed through, there is nothing major in terms of safety. We came here by air and we landed, but there is a lot that can be done to improve on the riding quality.
“Plans are on the way to carry out similar works that took place in Abuja runway. To ensure longer life, better riding quality for the runway, we have some international flights coming to Enugu, some are three times a week. Dreamliner lands here, Boeing 777 also lands here, especially for cargo. Generally speaking, we will say the runway is still very safe to operate. This is in line with the government’s policy to ensure that whatever is done is in line with the international standard. Arrangements are being made to rehabilitate the runway.
The acting Managing Director of FAAN and Director, Engineering Services, Salisu Daura said that the agency plans to install airfield lighting, approach light and other safety critical amenities in order to make the airport operate longer hours into the night.
“Utilisation of airport is directly correlated with the operating hours of the airport and that is why are very concerned about installing all the aids in this airport. Once that is done, it will improve operating hours which will increase capacity. Without the lighting system, the airport can only operate day service, closing around 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm with air field lightening in place. This time can extended till maybe midnight.
This will definitely increase activities at the airport.”
