The senate disagreed with Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika over the decision to downgrade the Akanu Ibiam International Airport,Enugu.
Sirika laments over imminent danger posed to air travellers by the presence of a nearby market, the location of a free trade zone, the dilapidated state of the runway, a state radio mast on the flight path of airlines which threatens the safety of incoming aircraft.
Victor Umeh , the Senator representing APGA – Anambra raised a motion on the resolution and was co-sponsored by 16 other lawmakers saying that the importance and economic value of the airport cannot be over-emphasised.
Umeh said the Akanu Ibiam International Airport is the only international airport in the entire South East of Nigeria , adding that since the launch of the airport in 2013 as an international facility, the airport has not received a befitting facelift to that effect.
However the senate resolved the authorities should consider rehabilitating the airport instead of outright downgrade.
(NAN)