Clement Nnachi, Abakaliki
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has restated that the state government would complete its International Cargo Airport Project by 2022 despite the financial uncertainties currently pervading the globe.
Governor Umahi made the disclosure, on Wednesday, while inspecting work at the airport’s site which spans two Local Government Areas of Ezza North and South, respectively.
According to him, “The airport, when completed, will be ‘two and half times’ the size of the state’s International Shopping Mall having the biggest terminal building in the country”.
READ ALSO: https://www.thexpressng.com/2020/08/06/breaking-police-operatives-seize-edo-assembly-complex/
He disclosed that pilling work of the project has been completed, describing it as ‘most challenging’.
“The tartan track is 100metres in width, with 10 lanes by 4km as work on it is five times the work on road projects.
“This is because work on the tarmac is different with impact, traction and dynamic loads—all combined and therefore, a special design”
In a related development, Governor Umahi, while inspecting the International Shopping Mall, in Abakaliki, the state capital, said that less than N4 billion has so far been spent on the ‘magnificent edifice’ and expressed satisfaction with its level of work.
READ ALSO: https://www.thexpressng.com/2020/08/05/bolaji-abdullahi-kannike-deny-dumping-pdp-for-apc/
The governor continued, “We disagreed with Shoprite because it wanted to construct about 20 per cent of the mall, asked us to pay N6 billion and enjoy 20 per cent of its equity shares”
“We then decided to embark on the project ourselves, engaged an architect based at the Dubai Mall in the United Arab Emirates.
“This is then a smaller version of the Dubai mall and with discipline, one can achieve whatever he sets out to achieve”
He also noted that the new state Executive Council chambers located at the New Government House will be completed in October 2020 in addition to the Shopping Mall and stadium, among others.
