Thunderstorm hits Enugu airport

Heavy thunderstorm in parts of Enugu State yesterday destroyed millions of naira worth of facilities at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

The storm, which raged in the early hours of yesterday, destroyed the terminal building, pilot lounge and the general aviation terminal of the airport.

Also affected are the electricity supply source, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), staff secondary and primary school buildings and private residential buildings.

The incident, which left the airport in ruins, also affected morning flight services, with hours of delay experienced.

Confirming the incident, Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs Department, Henrietta Yakubu, said the airport officials woke up to the ruins caused by the thunderstorm.

Yakubu said FAAN had taken immediate remedial action, which allowed flight operations in and out of the airport.

She said: “FAAN is doing her best to restore normalcy. There was no loss of life or injury and also flight operations were not affected. The management regrets the inconveniences caused by this incident to airport users and the general public.”

The Enugu airport is one of the five penciled for new terminals in the $500milion loan deal between Nigeria and China.