In Ebonyi, Governor Francis Nwifuru-led administration has commenced the upgrade of the Chuba Okadigbo's Airport runway to international standards as a way to prevent crashes in the state.
The State Commissioner on Aviation and Technology, Dr. Ngozi Obichukwu, who made this known yesterday, said that expatriates have been contracted to upgrade the Airport runway.
Obichukwu said the upgrade of the Chuba Okadigbo's Airport runway, from concrete to standard asphalting, is to improve the operation of foreign airlines and other flight movements at the airport.
The Aviation commissioner who assured foreign airlines and travellers of adequate protection and safe landing at the Airport said: "The runway is of concrete, instead of asphalt. That's why Governor Francis Nwifuru quickly dispatched experts who are knowledgeable in the construction of the runway to see how the runway can be upgraded to international standards.
She stated further: "The expatriates are here and as you can see. They are working tirelessly to ensure that the runway meets international standards. The United Nigeria Airways landed here and requested that the concrete be upgraded to standard asphalting.
"Governor Francis Nwifuru has opened the discussion with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation,
CCECC and CDC construction companies to ensure that the runway is constructed to international standard."
She urged the travellers to be patient, as the runway upgrade would soon be completed, adding that: "Chuba Okadigbo's airport is a threat to other Airports in South East region, and needed to be upgraded" he stated.
Obichukwu, however, announced the payment of five (5) months' salaries to over five hundred (500) Airports staff, that were recruited by the previous administration in the state.
"We commend the governor for the payment of salaries to over five hundred (500) Airport staff that were recruited five months ago by the previous administration.
"We also commend his pro-activeness and determination to ensure that Ebonyi is on the road map/ World Map of Airways and that's why he quickly engaged these expatriates and by tomorrow, the technical officers are commencing work, to ensure that the runway is perfectly in order," the commissioner hinted.
