Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, his Deputy, Prince Eze Madumere, the Chairman of the Committee on the upgrade of Sam Mbakwe Airport (2nd left), The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Hajia Binta Bello and other officials of the Ministry and Heads of relevant agencies and Parastatals in the Aviation taking a look at the Design of Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport during a fact finding Mission in preparation for the upgrade of the airport to resume operation as International Cargo Airport this evening.
The Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has thanked President Buhari for approving the much awaited upgrade of Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport to make it operational to its prescribed status.
Governor Okorocha made this commendation last Tuesday evening when the Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Aviation, Hajia Binta Bello visited Imo airport for facility tour in preparation to upgrading Sam Mbakwe International Cargo airport to its supposed status and to make it operational by middle of 2016.
Welcoming Hajia Bello to Imo State for facility tour, fact finding and onward kick off of work at the airport, Governor Okorocha assured her of Imo government preparedness to play whatever role as commitment towards realizing the real status of the airport.
The number one citizen of Imo State revealed that he had appealed to President Buhari to approve the upgrade with a view to increasing business and employment opportunities in Imo State and its neighbouring States of South-East and South-South in general.
Also speaking, the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere while fielding questions from the newsmen, he praised his boss, Governor Okorocha for his vision and seeking President Buhari’s approval, he enumerated the gains as increased business opportunities in the area of commerce and establishment of service firms, reduction of risk level in transportation of goods, reduction of the cost of providing goods and services and many more he mentioned.
Prince Madumere who was inaugurated two weeks back with his team as the Chairman of the Committee to midwife the realization of the real status of Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport has pledged the commitment of his committee to ensure that the dream of ensuring that the airport’s full potential is realized.
In her revelation, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Hajia Bello said most of the facilities to kick-start the upgrade of the airport are on ground. She also said that foundation has been laid remaining the construction of the superstructure, which she said some of the materials had already arrived Nigeria waiting for clearing.
In the course of inspection, she also conducted Governor Okorocha, his deputy, Prince Madumere and the heads of other parastatals, agencies and other relevant aviation organization that were present round the scanners and other facilities already on ground.
She therefore assured Imo state government and the good people of Imo state that work will begin in Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in about two months’ time.
Others who visited in representation of their differing agencies and parastatals to join Alhaja Bello’s fact-finding tour of Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airports are the Managing Director of National Airspace Management Agency, Mr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam, Director General of National Civil Aviation Agency, Capt. Muktar Usman, Director of Airport Operations (FAAN), Capt. Henry Omeogu and many others.