MEMBER, Governing Board of North East Development Commission (NEDC), Rep. Samuel Ifeanyi Onuigbo, has said that the Federal Government’s decision to construct an Airport in Abia State is further evidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is focused on transforming the countryside into economic hubs.
He noted that with the ambitious Lagos to Calabar coastal highway project, the construction of an airport in Abia State would speed up the opening up of Nigeria’s hinterlands into huge economic centres for commerce and industry.
Onuigbo, who is also Chairman of Security, Climate Change and Special Interventions Committee of NEDC, said the Southeast has never received the sort of impetus from the Federal Government as President Tinubu is currently doing.
The former federal law maker pointed out that the site chosen by Abia State Government, and approved by the Federal Government for the airport project at Nsulu, which verges between Isiala Ngwa and Umuahia, is a clear demonstration of strategic thinking
He stated: “This is about the first time in recent times that the Federal Government should be talking about developing a new airport. It is obvious that the President Tinubu administration understands the economic potentials of the Southeast zone. As Governor Otti rightly pointed out the funds needed for the immediate take off of the airport are well captured in this year’s budget.
Most importantly, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, deserves positive mention for promoting this synergy between the Presidency and Abia State government through legislative inputs.
Instead of neglecting the region like previous governments, the President Tinubu led Federal Government has decided to leverage the entrepreneurial capabilities of Southeast in a bid to widen the circle of economic prosperity in the country, thereby renewing the hope for a greater and better Nigeria.
Today, it is clear that by expeditiously assenting to the South East Development Commission Bill and empaneling the commission’s Board, and approving the construction of an international airport in Abia State, President Bola Tinubu has clearly demonstrated his unwavering commitment to repositioning the South East geopolitical zone economically and socially. With these formidable positive combinations, President Tinubu has roundly earned the approval of the people of the South East.”
Onuigbo, who represented Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives from 2015 through 2023, observed that the synergy between the Federal Government and Abia State will deliver the Airport as a win-win project for the people of Southeast
“I am elated that Governor Alex Otti saw reason to collaborate with the Federal Government to upscale the project from an airstrip originally proposed by the FG to a full-fledged Airport.
“Even without sharing the financial cost of constructing the airport, Abia State stands to gain immensely from the multiplier effect of the airport. The expected impetus that the Airport will give to made-in-Aba products will deliver commensurate returns on investment,” Onuigbo noted.
He commended the Abia State government for aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu by undertaking to construct the runway of the new airport.
Onuigbo therefore urged members of the host community of the project to emulate the unity of purpose demonstrated by the Labour Party state government and All Progressive Congress (APC)-led administration of President Tinubu, by avoiding actions that could delay its timely delivery.
