Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has disclosed how Governor Alex Otti of Abia State turned down a Federal Government proposal for an airstrip and instead secured support for a full-fledged international airport through counterpart funding. Keyamo also revealed that negotiations are ongoing for the first direct international cargo flight from Guangzhou, China, to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, expected to commence in December.
Federal Government Initially Proposed Airstrip
The federal government had initially planned an airstrip for Abia State, capturing the project in the 2024 budget as part of broader efforts to expand aviation infrastructure. Keyamo explained that he recommended the airstrip to President Bola Tinubu after noting that Abia lacked any airport or airstrip, making it the only state in the South-East without such facilities.
“When we came to power, I went to Mr President saying Abia does not have an airstrip or an airport in the whole of the South-East. So, he told me to put it in the budget. In the 2024 budget, we put the Abia airstrip as one of our first projects,” Keyamo said.
Otti’s Counterpart Funding Proposal
However, Governor Otti took a different approach. Keyamo credited Otti for not settling for the airstrip but instead approaching President Tinubu directly with a more ambitious plan. “However, credit to Dr Alex Otti, who did not stop at that. He went straight to Mr President behind me and said, ‘Sir, bring the money for the airstrip, I have counterpart funding. I will now make it a full international airport,’” Keyamo recounted.
Otti reportedly insisted on an international airport rather than an airstrip, offering to contribute more funds through counterpart financing. “He said, ‘Don’t give me an airstrip, but bring the money. With counterpart funding, I will build a full-fledged international airport in Umuahia, Abia State.’ That project has taken off under his guidance. In fact, Abia has brought more money than the federal government,” Keyamo added.
Direct Cargo Flights from China to Enugu
In addition to the Abia airport project, Keyamo disclosed plans for direct cargo flights from Guangzhou, China, to Enugu. The Enugu State government aims to transform the Akanu Ibiam International Airport into a cargo hub for the entire South-East region.
“We are negotiating for the first flight from Guangzhou straight to Enugu in December,” the minister said. “I am working with the governor of Enugu State. It will enable all traders, especially our brothers from the South-East who do business in China, to go twice every week, put all their goods into one cargo, and have it go straight from Guangzhou to Enugu. Then it can be delivered to Onitsha and Aba.”
This development is expected to significantly boost trade and reduce logistics costs for businesses in the region, particularly for traders dealing in goods imported from China.
