Aviation stakeholders hail Ugwuanyi’s commitment to air safety

• Honour him with awards
• Gov inaugurates VOR/DME access road

Stakeholders in the aviation industry have commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for his commitment to development of the sector in the state and the South East geopolitical zone.

The stakeholders made the commendation during the inauguration of the access road to the Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Radio Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu constructed by the Ugwuanyi administration.

It would be recalled that Ugwuanyi, in furtherance of his administration’s efforts to ensure that the Federal Government rehabilitated the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, last year, promised to reconstruct the VOR/DME access road for NAMA.

The governor fulfilled the promise and delivered to standard the access road to NAMA’s VOR/DME Navigational Aid Site and meteorological facilities, for safe landing of aircraft at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, located behind NNPC depot, Emene.

Speaking during the inauguration of the road and other airport facilities, the Chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Aviation, Nnolim Nnaji, thanked Ugwuanyi for his commitment to airport development and safety in Enugu State and the South East region.

Nnaji maintained that Ugwuanyi’s investment in the aviation industry is outstanding and worthy of commendation. He said the governor, during the comprehensive rehabilitation of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, showed leadership and made a lot of sacrifices to ensure the project was fully actualised.

“Your Excellency, we are happy that you have always come to our aid in the sector,” he said.

In his speech, the Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt. Hamisu Rabiu Yadudu, also praised Ugwuanyi for his contributions to the success of aviation in Nigeria.

The FAAN MD, who presented the Safety Ambassador Award and Outstanding Promoter of Air Safety Award to Ugwuanyi, on behalf of FAAN and NAMA, described the governor as “a special leader”, who has displayed vision and uncommon commitment to the industry.

In his goodwill message, the Air Officer Commanding, Ground Training Command Enugu, Air Vice Marshal Frank Goodnews Oparah, expressed gratitude to Ugwuanyi “for this marvelous job he has done in constructing this aviation road”.

Oparah noted that the all-important road was hitherto impassable, hindering security operation of Air force officers at the VOR navigation site until the recent intervention by Ugwuanyi’s administration.

Also speaking, the Airspace Manager, NAMA, Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, Yohana lliya Namo, stated that the road was one of the critical issues the agency brought to the attention of Ugwuanyi, which the governor addressed expressly for the safety of air travelers.

Inaugurating the project, Ugwuanyi expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for approving and funding rehabilitation of the Enugu airport, stressing: “This critical intervention remains abiding.”

Emphasising the importance of the VOR/DME access road to safety of air travelers, the governor said: “I am glad that our administration successfully undertook the redesign and reconstruction of this road, to complement the laudable airport rehabilitation works undertaken by the Federal Government as well as enhance the safety of air travelers.”

He added: “I enjoin the end users of this road, particularly FAAN, NAMA and residents of Emene, to take ownership of the new road and ensure its proper use. My administration reiterates its commitment to the provision of critical infrastructure for the benefit of all.”