Nigerian Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State says his administration will work with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to improve the standard of the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, to enhance economic activities of the state and the nation.
According to tweeter account of FAAN, Governor Hope Uzodimma stated this when the Managing Director of FAAN, Captain Rabiu Yadudu, visited him in the government house in Owerri, the state capital of Imo State.
Uzodimma noted that the aviation sector must be encouraged to be run professionally as the industry is not what people think it is in terms of funding, the reason for government intervention.
Governor Uzodimma said ‘’As a Government, we will assist the leadership of the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on the standardization of the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri to enhance economic activity.
‘’I have always believed that the aviation sector must be encouraged to be run professionally. The industry is not what people think it is in terms of funding, the reason for government intervention.
‘’The issue of the runway, perimeter fencing, aircraft parking lot, taxing way, security, and insurance are indices that those who frequently fly take into consideration before buying tickets and not just having a good terminal building.
‘’As the Chairman of the 7th Senate Committee on Aviation, I played a key role in the development of a roadmap on the reform of the aviation industry.’’
He added ‘’the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport Owerri is commercially viable and attracts traffic. It has the potentials of doing better if more attention is paid in standardizing the existing infrastructure, including the insurance policy around the airport.
‘’Since FAAN subscribes to the membership of all world bodies and is committed to submitting to the ethics of the industry in line with global practices, the leadership should also hope to reap the benefit.
‘’The leadership of FAAN has a job to do. I urged Capt. Yadudu to oblige us with the Status Report on the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport that ought to define where the place is now in terms of what has been done so that we can be properly guided.
‘’The visible and invisible partnership with government is key to the survival of airports.’’
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