Awka – Anambra Civil Society Network (ACSONET), a platform for Citizens and Non State Actors has called on the Federal Government to ensure the Umueri international Cargo and Passenger Airport in Anambra State, is opened for public use ahead of the November 6 governorship election.
The group’s Chairman, Prince Chris Azor, who doubles as the National Coordinator, Coalition on Improving Service Delivery (NACOISED), disclosed that the Terminal building of the airport was finally ready.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after a Monitoring and Evaluation exercise, Azor argued that opening the airport before the poll would not only address the current security challenges, but assist the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in delivering free, fair, credible and peaceful exercise.
He recalled that Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed and her counterpart in Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adebayo, had recently flew into the State through the airport, on their way to commissioning some projects in the state.
In his words, “Opening the airport before the forthcoming governorship election will address the current security challenges, while assisting INEC in delivering free, fair, credible and peaceful election, through prompt arrival of election materials and sundry logistics.
“Delivering free, fair, credible and peaceful election is at the core of good governance and service delivery, which must not be compromised under any guise.
“Recall that Anambra State Government, under the Governor, Chief Willie Obiano barely a year ago, commenced, construction of an international cargo and passenger airport, and in April, 2021, two aircrafts on test run, landed at the Umueri site.”
Identifying as an outstanding feature, the equipping of the airport with Instrument Landing System, (ILS), which, he said, guarantees safe landing for airplanes at nights, Azor assured the group’s regular monitoring, evaluation and reporting of projects and Service delivery, for transparency and accountability.
“Considering the current security challenges and the need for INEC to deliver free, fair, credible and violence-free election in the State, come November 16, it is advocated that the federal government opens up the airport for use, before, during and after the Governorship election,” Azor stressed.
