Imo State House of Assembly members have raised the alarm over vandalisation of equipment at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, the state capital. They have set up a five-member panel to investigate the alleged stealing of lighting equipment on the runway.

The Deputy Speaker, Amara Iwuanyanwu (Nwangele Constituency), is the chairman of the committee, while Johnson Duru (Ideato South Constituency), Cyriacus Okoro (Ohaji /Egbema Constituency), Chiji Collins (Isiala Mbano Constituency), and Tochi Okereke (Ngor Opkala Constituency) are members.

The Guardian learnt that suspected thieves had carted away armoured cable and other lighting equipment, making it difficult for aircraft to land and take-off t at night.

The lawmakers expressed dismay, when the motion was brought before them by Duru, notifying them of the vandalisation at the airport.

The Speaker, Kennedy Ibeh, mandated the committee to find out from the state Accountant General, whether the previous administration had released funds to the Airport Manager for replacement of the vandalised lighting system and how much was released and why the money was not utilised accordingly.