The Commissioner for Aviation and Transport Technology, Ebonyi State, Ngozi Obichukwu has disclosed that flight operation at the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport will be determined by the NCAA and FAN as the state completes the runway.

The Commissioner disclosed this while stating the reasons the airport has not commenced flight operation after the completion of the runway.

According to Obichukwu, the airport will boost the economic development of the State. She then urged Ebonyi people to be patient as the governor Francis Nwifuru through the Ministry of Aviation is doing his best to ensure that everything is done accurately and in accordance with the regulations.

Obichukwu said, “The birth of Ebonyi has brought so many good dividends in the State. Ebonyi has been in Goodluck having good governors that their administrations have played for the 28years and I appreciate God for that. We are celebrating in Economic development, social development, regional development, general administration and we are thankful to God and we appreciate Governor Nwifuru.

“We are already engaging necessary Authorities Regulation, regulatory that we give us the permission. So right now, we have passed almost all their test we where waiting for the friction test and all the other test that was needed and now by the Grace of God, we are getting through.

“I plead with Ebonyi people Aviation is like hospital, we are talking about safety of lives, is not ordinary buy and sale in the market so everything that needs to be done should be done in accurate regulations,” she added.

Speaking at the amount invested in the project, the commissioner said it is not quantifiable, noting that th”ere are other renovations going on at the airport. She however disclosed that the runway cost 7 billion naira to become standard.

“We are happy that even the NCCA that came, they applauded our Governor Nwifuru for a good job well done after the measure the road, shoulder, everything around the runway was accurate and we are happy. So the fund spent so is determined by federal ministry of aviation quantity surveyors are working on it. There are so many things that need to be done and we are hoping to get through it.”

On how to generate IGR, the commissioner said, “I am very sure of IGR. The airport catalyst to the economic development of any state, in the country we have 22 airport which 5 among them are international airports and Ebonyi is going to be one immediately we receive the license to start flying and looking at the strategy position of the airport, our catchment areas are not in doubt talk of Ikom, Benue, kogi and Abia this are the areas we are hoping and is not only the human traffic we are talking of cargo airport in other to address the market flow of Ebonyi State.

“We are going to be linking with other countries and I have started receiving applications from Dubai so that they could be coming here to buy our produce and go back to their country. So the economic revival and boost cannot be emphasise once we commence flight operation.”(Tribune)