The South-East Amalgamated Market Traders Association (SEAMATA) has appealed to the Federal Government to review the number of days for the repair of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu’ runways from 90 days to 60 days.
The President General of the association, Chief Gozie Akudolu, made the appeal in a statement made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Thursday.
Akudolu stated that closing the airport for 90 days would have far-reaching implicataion on economic activities in the South-East, describing the facility as the “first airport of choice” for traders in the zone.
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He opined that the repair could be achieved in 60 days given that it was specifically limited to failed portions of the airport runway.
He said, “It is our considered opinion that this can be effectively and efficiently achieved within less than 60 days.’’
He expressed worry that the association members and their businesses in the zone would suffer should the Federal Government go ahead to close the facility for 90 days.
“This is moreso as we approach the end of the year with the attendant rise in the tempo of business activities.
“The all important airport remained the gateway for all our members to their business destinations, especially outside the country,” Akudolu stated.
He further noted that the proximity of the airport to business locations in the zone had very great advantage to the traders, considering the security challenges in the country.
He stated: “SEAMATA received with rude shock, the devastating news of the closure of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, first, indefinitely and later for 90 days.
“It will be recalled that the first international flight from this airport in 2013 had our members making-up over 85 per cent of the passengers on board.
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Akudolu said that it was imperative for the federal government and other relevant professional bodies to establish the cause of the failure of the runway shortly after it was constructed.
“This is necessary, considering the inconveniences the closure of the airport will cause the teeming passengers and huge revenue loss to the government.
“This is why SEAMATA most humbly and respectfully call on the federal government to please review the period of the closure of this airport to 60 days,’’ he said.
NAN recalls that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria announced that the airport runway would be closed by noon on Saturday, August 24 for 90 days to carry out a major repair. (NAN)
