Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has declared that the state’s airport is now ready for international flight operations, attributing the milestone to sustained federal support and decades of leadership continuity.
Speaking on Saturday just before the first international flight from the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, which was to Accra, Eno said the project was completed without incurring any debt, while calling for continued support for President Bola Tinubu.
“This airport today is ready to begin international flights because of his support and we are finishing this project without owing a dime to any bank, to any bank and that’s why we must follow this president. We must support him because I believe he has a heart for the people,” he said.
The governor also praised the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for his hands-on approach, noting his repeated visits and direct engagement with stakeholders.
“I want to thank the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, our brother Barrister Festus Keyamo S.A. Thank you sir for being a hands-on minister. I believe and I stand to be corrected that anyone, for anyone to venture into public service it should have a stint of the private sector. Thank you for bringing your private sector career into public service. You have visited this airport three times before this will happen.
“You convened a meeting of all the agencies that will make this work here in Uyo. You didn’t sit in Abuja. You have done well for us and today you are here again.
“I know this will count for an eternal credit to when you were the minister but if you didn’t love your work you will not do it so we thank you.”
Reflecting on the long history of the project, Eno acknowledged the contributions of past administrations, describing the airport’s completion as the result of a 27-year effort spanning multiple governments.
“I want to thank especially all former governors, all of them. This project has taken over 24 years, eight years of Obong Victor Attah, eight years of the Senate President, the distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, eight years of Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, 24 years and three years into my time, 27 years to realise the vision we are looking at today.
“It was not a sprint, it was a marathon. They did all they had to do so when people shout about projects like this, while I appreciate the hurry we wanted like yesterday, proper foundation has to be laid, processes have to be followed and so we are here because they dreamt of an airport that will be linked to the world. They dreamt of an airport where we will be able to fly direct from this place to the world.
“They had the dream, they started the work and they handed over one to another.”
The governor added that the project reflects a legacy of visionary leadership in the state, expressing gratitude to past leaders and attributing the achievement to divine providence.
“You may say anything about our leaders but we know, like I said yesterday at the covenant service, God is interested in Akwa Ibom and you can see the quality of leaders that he has given to us over the years. We thank them, we thank them and we thank God for giving us the privilege.”
Boluwatife Enome
Follow us on:
