Otti Bypassed Me To Seek Airport Funding From Tinubu

Otti Bypassed Me To Seek International Airport Funding From Tinubu – Keyamo
The governor proposed a counterpart-funded international airport project.
FG is negotiating direct cargo flights from Guangzhou to Enugu.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has disclosed that Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, rejected the Federal Government’s initial plan to construct an airstrip in the state and instead proposed the development of a full-fledged international airport.

Keyamo made the revelation during the official unveiling of two Boeing 737-800NG aircraft acquired by United Nigeria Airlines in Lagos.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the minister explained that the Federal Government had included the Abia airstrip project in the 2024 budget as part of efforts to expand aviation infrastructure across the country.

According to him, the proposal was initiated after he informed President Bola Tinubu that Abia remained the only state in the South-East without either an airport or an airstrip.

Keyamo, however, said Governor Otti later approached President Tinubu with a proposal to upgrade the project into an international airport through a counterpart funding arrangement between the state and federal governments.

“When we came to power, I went to Mr President saying Abia does not have an airstrip or an airport in the whole of the South-East. So, he told me to put it in the budget. In the 2024 budget, we put the Abia airstrip as one of our first projects.

“However, credit to Dr Alex Otti, who did not stop at that. He went straight to Mr President behind me and said, ‘Sir, bring the money for the airstrip, I have counterpart funding. I will now make it a full international airport.’

“He said, ‘Don’t give me an airstrip, but bring the money. With counterpart funding, I will build a full-fledged international airport in Umuahia, Abia State.’ That project has taken off under his guidance. In fact, Abia has brought more money than the federal government,” Keyamo said.

The minister also disclosed that discussions were ongoing to establish the first direct international cargo flight between Guangzhou, China, and the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

According to him, the initiative is aimed at transforming Enugu into a major cargo hub for the South-East region and easing the movement of goods for traders doing business in China.

“They (Enugu State government) want to make it (Enugu Airport) a cargo hub for the whole of the South-East.

“We are negotiating for the first flight from Guangzhou straight to Enugu in December. I am working with the governor of Enugu State. It will enable all traders, especially our brothers from the South-East who do business in China, to go twice every week, put all their goods into one cargo, and have it go straight from Guangzhou to Enugu. Then it can be delivered to Onitsha and Aba,” he added.

The developments form part of broader efforts to strengthen aviation infrastructure, boost regional connectivity, and support trade and economic activities across the South-East.