Praise Necherem
The Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ONICCIMA), says that the Anambra International Cargo Airport would boast economic fortunes of the state when completed.
The Chamber’s President, Mr Chris Ukachukwu, who made assertion in a statement on Thursday, in Awka, said the airport would also make the state a global hub for investments, trade and commerce.
He praised Gov. Willie Obiano on the successful test flights at the airport, adding that businesses would begin to explore its use as an import and export channel for its goods thereby driving economic growth.
Ukachukwu, however enjoined the state government not to rest on its oars until all the milestones set for the completion of each phase of the project were achieved, just as he called for the standardisation of the airport infrastructure to drive efficiency.
“The Chamber being at the forefront of advocacy for ease of doing business, wishes to note some issues for consideration.
“First, given the status of the facility as a cargo/passenger airport, the entrance to the airport from the Umunya axis of the Enugu-Onitsha expressway does not befit the status of an international airport.
“Especially considering that heavy-duty vehicles will ply that route to ferry cargo. Though Onitsha-Otuocha road is a federal government responsibility, a standard four-way lane is required on that road right now.
“The state government should in the minimum dualise that stretch of the road from Magazine Avenue GRA, to the Airport junction to accommodate the anticipated traffic as a result of the full functionality of the airport,” he said.
The chamber’s president also urged the government to engage the aviation sector and related authorities to cordon off airplane pathways that did not tolerate residential buildings or developments.
According to him, the government may not be aware that land grabbers and illegal estate industry operators have emerged in the entire axis of the Airport project.
Ukachukwu also urged the government to start exploring ways to curb touting and fraudsters associated with ancillary services like Airport Taxis and Cabs, Ticketing and Currency exchange dealers at the airport.
He also called for the need to resuscitate the construction of the 4-star hotel project abandoned at Onitsha GRA, to accelerate hospitality in the state.
“We urge expedited action on the construction of cargo sheds for goods and bonded terminals that would arrive onboard various aircraft as well as other structures that would support full utilisation of the airport.
“ONICCIMA once again commend Gov. Obiano’s led-administration, for keeping to its commitment of making Anambra the destination of choice for investment as well as the hub for economic and commercial activities in the Southeast and Nigeria, ” he said.