In every generation, there is always a day when the sun and the stars come together in a perfect agreement with the hopes and dreams of a people. April 30, 2021 was that day in Anambra state. That was when Ndi Anambra and their friends gathered to witness the historic demonstration of Flight into the Anambra International Passenger and Cargo Airport, Umueri. Umu Anambra have waited patiently for that day. Yes, it is sunrise in Anambra State.
According to Governor Willie Obiano, the Anambra International Passenger and Cargo Airport is the most audacious legacy of his administration and, perhaps, the most revolutionary too. Experts say that the airport has set a record in the aviation industry as the fastest and most modern airport to be built in recent times.
Remarkably, the airport took 15 months to build. Construction work began in January 2020 and, 15 months after, it witnessed the first flight into the airport. It took only one year and three months of determination, perseverance and courage in the face of danger, to build the edifice.
Obiano rose above the gloom and doom of global lockdowns and phobia over COVID-19 to bring this dream to reality. This airport is proof that no army, no matter how fortified, can stand the force of an idea! A great idea may rest for a while; but it will come to reality when it is time is due!
The most interesting thing about the airport, though, is that the Anambra State Government did not borrow a kobo to build it. This in itself; is a record in leadership, vision and execution in Nigeria with the current realities.
No doubt, this airport is an idea whose time has come. Anambra’s dream for their own airport began almost 30 years ago when the Government of Anambra State acquired 530 hectares of land at Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area with the intention of building a domestic airport. The idea came up again in 2006 when Orient Petroleum dreamt of building an airport at Umueri. Today, that dream is fulfilled.
When the Obiano administration began the effort to expand the frontiers of excellence in Anambra State seven years ago, it announced that its Vision was to make the State the first choice investment destination and hub of industrialization and commercial activities. It also declared that its Mission was to create a socially stable, business friendly environment that will attract both indigenes and foreigners to wealth creating opportunities in Anambra State. The airport is a fulfillment of the vision and mission statements.
It is difficult to create a new economic corridor without a functional international airport that will serve as a direct bridge between Anambra and the world. With the airport, Obiano has made the journey easier for any investor who wants to prospect Anambra State for business.
In the past seven years, his administration has worked tirelessly to change the story of Anambra State. He has developed an agro-economy with top mechanized farming, modern food processing and export of agricultural produce. Akpokuedike upgraded Awka with facilities that will position it as a 21st Century capital city.
The International Conference Center, Awka is the largest conference venue in Nigeria with 10,000 sitting capacity. The roofing of the Center is almost completed.
Governor Obiano has taken development to the rural areas with the highly acclaimed 20 million naira Community-Choose-your-Project Initiative. There is no community in Anambra State that has not felt the presence of Governor Obiano’s administration.
The administration has constructed 18 bridges and several kilometers of roads to maintain the reputation of Anambra State as the state with the best network of roads in the South East. The Awka City Stadium is almost ready for commissioning. And now, we have the most advanced airport in Africa.
Anyone who is familiar with Anambra State knows that Ndi Anambra admire self-reliance a lot. We do not summon external help for what we can do for ourselves. We rose from the ashes of an unpleasant past to build a promising homeland. Our people crisscross the globe in search of a better life.
This airport is therefore a timely bridge between Anambra and the world. It is the link between a dream and its fulfillment! There is no doubt that in the shortest possible time, the Anambra International Passenger and Cargo Airport shall become one of the busiest airports in Nigeria. The key success factors are there for all to see!
WRITTEN BY DR. NNAMDI NWADIOGBU
Comments are closed for this post.