IMO State Governor Rochas Okorocha, former Permanent Secretary Ministry of Aviation Hajiya Binta Bello and some officials of the ministry have inspected the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport (SMICA) Owerri, in a bid to quicken the completion of the facility.

During the inspection, Governor Okorocha said the state was interested in partnering with the ministry to complete the project and commence cargo operations which he said would boost economic activities in the state and open it up to the business world.

Okorocha pointed out that the development of the airport with the support of the federal government would fulfil President Buhari’s promise of making SMICA Owerri a functional cargo airport which has always been the dream of the people of the South East Zone who are predominantly businessmen.

Speaking on the occasion The Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Saleh Dunoma noted the problem of manpower shortage at the airport, especially in the Fire and Security department.

Saleh assured the governor that measures have been put in place to address the shortage, as basic trainings are already being done to ensure that the recently recruited staffs of Fire and Security are completely ready, before their postings to airports.

While addressing the issue of funding and welfare, he said that promotions for 2014 had been concluded, and that of 2015 was in progress. He noted that provisions had been made for furniture grants to be paid as and when due, as well as pending personal claims.

The FAAN boss urged all airport management to try their best to improve on revenue generation and improve on their attitudinal disposition to passengers.

He further commended the good work at SMICA and said that it is a growing cargo airport which would become a viable source of revenue for the authority and urged the staff to continue to put in their best in view of the fact the industry is a very sensitive one, adding that the airport should be run and managed according to standards and recommended best practices.