The Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr Toby Okechukwu, has called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps towards reopening the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, and the remaining international air facilities to international flight operations.
Okechukwu, in a statement issued on Sunday, said such step had become most expedient ahead of the Yuletide season when Nigerians visit their homes from every part of the world.
In the statement titled ‘Reopen Enugu Airport, Others to International Flights, Reps Deputy Minority (Leader) Tells FG’, the lawmaker noted that multiple stopovers expose people to more risks than a direct flight to their destinations during a pandemic.
Okechukwu said this in reaction to the announcement by the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu, on the planned reopening of the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport Kano and the Port Harcourt International Airport to international flights.
The Deputy Minority Leader said since the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, had earlier said the Akanu Ibiam International Airport had been better equipped for international operations, it made no economic sense for the Federal Government to keep the airport shut from operations after investing a whooping N10bn in upgrading it.