Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, and the people of the state were ecstatic on Friday when the first flight landed at the state’s cargo and passenger airport.
The three aircrafts that landed at the airport were on the fleet of Air Peace Airlines owned by one of the sons of Anambra State, Chief Allen Onyema.
The aircraft Air Peace 5N-BUJ landed at about 2.30pm while Air Peace 5N-BVD landed at 2.47 to test run the yet to be completed airport.
Obiano, while addressing the crowd, described the airport as a revolution in the aviation industry, saying it took his administration 15 months to arrive at 85 per cent completion.
He revealed that the airport with 3.7 runway, 11-storey building tower, and other facilities was built with no loan borrowed to finance it
He added that it was the most audacious legacy of his administration, adding that it would serve as the best bridge to attract investors to the state.
Obiano said: “The Awka Stadium is also almost ready. Very soon, local and international flights will start landing and taking off in Anambra.”
On his part, the owner of the aircraft, Chief Allen Onyema, who was on board the first aircraft to land at the airport, described it as the biggest and best in Africa.
He said he wept immediately he landed because he never knew the dream of an airport would become a reality in Anambra State.
He said: “I’ve been vindicated today after boasting on TV that the airport will soon be completed, which attracted condemnation from some people.
”I thank the FG for approving this airport, which is the fastest to be approved as a testament of the quality of job done here. This is the best and longest runway in Africa with 3.7km.”
He added that the airport would not serve Anambra people alone but the South East and the entire country.
“In less no time, President Muhammadu Buhari is going to approve this airport as an international one, which would create millions of jobs for the people as well as energise the nation’s economy,” he said
