The youth in the South East region have expressed shock and concern over the announcement of plans by Ebonyi State Government to establish their own airline and procure four aircraft, particularly in light of the prevailing poverty and the increasing number of out-of-school children.
These reactions were shared on X (formerly Twitter) as the youths voiced their astonishment and apprehension regarding the state government’s priorities.
Yesterday, Ebonyi State’s Commissioner for Aviation and Transport Technology, Mrs. Ngozi Obichukwu, revealed that the state government has finalized arrangements to purchase four aircraft to facilitate the launch of operations at the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, located in Onueke, Ezza South local government area.
During an inspection tour of the completed 3.5-kilometer runway, Mrs. Obichukwu disclosed that the government intends to establish its own airline using the four aircraft. She also mentioned that additional investors have shown interest and are prepared to provide the state with three more aircraft. She highlighted that the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport will not only boost the economic foundation of Ebonyi State but also promote the state on an international level.
“We will soon start floating our aircraft. When flight operations start at the airport, we have investors ready to provide us with three additional planes. We have already entered into agreements with them, and this will soon come to fruition. Permit me to announce that Governor Francis Nwifuru is highly committed to bringing in our own planes. We are launching four aircraft simultaneously, and this will be widely known. The governor aims to make this airport the economic hub of the Southeast region,” she stated.
Mrs. Obichukwu expressed satisfaction with the completion of the runway and added that commercial operations at the International Airport are expected to commence in August this year. She also mentioned that President Bola Tinubu is anticipated to arrive in the state via the newly completed airport for the inauguration.
