The Ebonyi State government announced on Monday that flight operations at Chuba Okadigbo Airport, located in Onueke, are expected to officially begin in November.
This news was revealed by Ngozi Obichukwu, the State Commissioner for Aviation, during a briefing to Governor Francis Nwifuru, as part of a facility inspection conducted in celebration of the state’s 28th anniversary.
According to Commissioner Obichukwu, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has already conducted an inspection of the airport’s runway, which is the final factor preventing the commencement of flight operations.
She explained that the runway, a critical component of the airport, had undergone significant development recently, bringing it closer to operational readiness.
“The 3.1-kilometre runway, which can accommodate five aircraft at a time, was asphalted by the present administration in the state,” Obichukwu stated.
She further elaborated on the difficulties that arose when the airport had initially commenced operations, noting that many aircraft were unable to operate effectively on the runway because of the unfinished nature of its construction.
“The airport had earlier commenced operations, but most aircraft could not cope with the runway due to the non-asphalting of the concrete basement used in constructing it,” she added.
To address this issue, the government began asphalting the runway in October 2023, a project that was completed on July 8, 2024. This significant upgrade was necessary to ensure that the runway could handle the demands of modern aircraft and maintain operational safety.
With the runway now fully asphalted, the Commissioner expressed optimism that the NCAA’s approval for flight operations would soon follow. “We commend Governor Nwifuru for fulfilling his promise of rehabilitating the runway, which is one of the best in the country,” she said.
However, the Commissioner also took a moment to express the government’s regret over the passing of the engineer who was instrumental in overseeing the runway’s rehabilitation. “We, however, regret that the engineer who oversaw the rehabilitation of the runway died,” she remarked, emphasizing the loss of a key contributor to the project.
Governor Nwifuru, represented during the inspection by his deputy, Patricia Obila, praised the swift and effective completion of the project. He acknowledged that significant improvements had been made since his last visit to the facility.
He also highlighted the substantial investment made by the state, saying that billions of naira had been poured into the project, and the state anticipated receiving its deserved returns from the airport’s operation.
It is worth noting that the Chuba Okadigbo Airport was originally inaugurated by former President Muhammadu Buhari during the tenure of former Governor David Umahi. At that time, the airport held great promise as a key infrastructure development in Ebonyi State.
However, flight operations were later suspended due to critical flaws in the construction of its runway, which prevented safe and reliable aircraft operations.
Now, with the runway fully rehabilitated, the state is preparing to see the airport fulfill its intended purpose. The commencement of flight operations in November marks a significant milestone not just for the aviation sector in Ebonyi but for the state’s economic growth and connectivity with the rest of the country.
Governor Nwifuru’s administration remains hopeful that this project will foster increased commercial activity, ease transportation for residents and visitors, and ultimately benefit the state in numerous ways as it continues to develop its infrastructure.
