Akanu Ibiam Airport runway ready end of June, says report

* FAAN urges air travellers to arrive airports 3 hours before take-off on resumption of flight operations

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

The Airport Refurbishment/Palliative Works Committee has said that the runway of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, in Enugu State of Nigeria, which is currently undergoing reconstruction, will be completed by end of June 2020.

According to the Committee, the updates were contained in the third interim report which Chris Okoye, Chairman of the Committee, submitted to the South-East Governors’ Forum (SEGF) May 24, 2020, reports The Sun.

The two concrete turning pads at runway 08 and 26 had reached 100 percent completion, including the asphaltic regulatory treatment between the two runways, stated the report.

The report also indicated that the placement of fiberglass over the asphaltic regulatory areas had commenced from runway 08 while the laying of 60mm of asphaltic binder course was simultaneously being applied over the fiberglass.

The erection of the final asphaltic wearing course shall follow thereafter; while the airfield light contractor was expected to resume work on site “about mid-June, 2020 and should complete its works between 3 to 4 weeks after the final completion of the runway,” it said.

Despite that the Federal Government had promised the airport would be ready for use before the last Easter, report noted that it was impossible as a result of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic as contractors had to leave the project site.

Okoye stated in the report that the stakeholders had worked harmoniously during the period of the lockdown and were able to get the contractor, PW, back to the project site by May 14.

Work is progressing on the 12.0km perimeter fence which is expected to be completed by end of August, stated the report.

It stated: “Contract for a comprehensive array of external drains to arrest the perennial storm water problems that have been associated with the airport was awarded by FAAN.

The execution has been going uninterruptedly and would be completed by end of June. “The clinic, another key requirement of ICAO, has been awarded by FAAN and the contract is currently proceeding exceedingly well and completion is estimated by end of July.

“Similarly, the contract for the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), another key requirement of ICAO, is on-going and would be completed by end of June.

“It said that arrangements have been concluded for the perimeter road, grading/grassing/landscaping, renovation of the existing terminal building which are due to commence within the next 2 weeks.”

This was as the Governors of the South-Eastern  states  had in their last meeting, assured the people that with the progress of work at the site, the airport would be reopened soonest, subject to the COVID-19 programme of the Federal Government.

Meanwhile in connection with the reopening of the nation’s airports for resumption of domestic flight operations, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said that passengers would be expected to arrive at least three hours before their take-off time when commercial operations  resume at airports later in June.

According to FAAN on its official Twitter handle, passengers’ early arrival would enable efficient checks and screening before boarding.

It stated: “COVID-19 Flight Resumption Protocol for Passengers: You are advised to arrive at the airport three hours before your flight due to the new COVID-19 safety checks.”

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