Abia International Airport to enhance growth of South East region, Tinubu’s vision – Keyamo
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo
Abia International Airport to enhance growth of South East region, Tinubu’s Vision – Keyamo
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has explained that the new international airport in Abia State is a key part of President Bola Tinubu’s initiative to boost the development of the South East region. According to Keyamo, Tinubu’s vision is clear: no part of Nigeria should be left behind, and every state must receive equal attention in terms of infrastructure development.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony for the Abia International Airport in Nsulu, Abia State, on Tuesday, Keyamo emphasized that the airport would transform the state into a major commercial hub in the South East. The project, which started as a modest airstrip, is now being upgraded to an international airport thanks to federal support and contributions from the state government, particularly in enhancing the runway.
Keyamo shared that the idea for the airport came directly from President Tinubu, who expressed concern about Abia’s lack of an airstrip. “When I briefed the president about the aviation sector, he immediately asked why Abia, being a key player in the industrial sector, didn’t even have an airstrip. He said, ‘We can’t allow any part of the country to be left behind,’” Keyamo explained. Tinubu insisted that the 2024 budget should allocate funds for an airstrip in Abia.
Keyamo also noted that the project gained momentum thanks to the partnership between the federal government and Abia’s state government. “Governor Alex Otti immediately showed interest, saying he would support the initiative and provide counterpart funding to elevate the airstrip into an international airport. This is how the vision became a reality.”
He further highlighted that Abia’s strategic position as the heart of the South East’s industrial sector made the airport an essential infrastructure project. “It’s unthinkable that the industrial hub of the South East didn’t have an airport. This will not just be a passenger airport, but a cargo airport as well, providing significant economic opportunities for the region,” Keyamo said.
The Abia International Airport project is poised to be a game-changer for the state and the entire region, reinforcing Tinubu’s commitment to equitable development across the country.
