Abia State Airport, A Done Deal

Abia state is among the states in the South Eastern part of Nigeria. It is

predominantly occupied by the Igbo nationality and has its capital at

Umuahia while Aba, an ancient town serves as a commercial metropolis in

the state.
Abia state was created out of the old Imo state and has been in existence

for twenty three years. The state has witnessed various administrations

under the leadership of both military and civilian administrators and

currently the state is governed by an astute politician an administrator

per excellence a visionary and focused servant leader, a passionate ruler

of our time, Chief Theodore Orji (Ochendo).
We make bold to say that Abia state for twenty three years of existence

deserves an airport .The state accommodates the major commercial nerve

centre East of the Niger (i.e Aba) and due to this important fact, it is

necessary for an airport to be established in Abia state and this explains

why Governor Theodore Orji's led government should be applauded for an all

important decision to establish an airport rather than Abians dwelling on

unfounded and baseless criticism.
Abia state government on Thursday 31st October, 2013 in its Executive

Council meeting arrived at a decision to establish an airport in the

state. This action started with the setting up of an airport

implementation committee by the Executive Governor Chief T. A. Orji.

This Committee is headed by the state Deputy Governor Sir Emeka Ananaba.

This pronouncement triggered off many reactions both positive and

negative. For those Abians on the negative side of the reaction we plead

with you to join the band wagon, to encourage this vision considering it

to be a done deal and for those Abians on the positive side, please keep

blazing the trail.
Gov. Theodore Orji in spite of criticisms from few quarters has not

relented in his administration's commitment to building an airport in

Abia state considering its importance to the good people of Abia, who

only travel by air either through Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri, Imo state or

Port Harcourt Airport. Chief T. A. Orji (OCHENDO) believes that with an

Airport in place in the state, more investment and opportunities that will

in a long run aid the growth of existing facilities in the state and the

entire South East region shall be drawn. It is worthy of mention that the

location of Abia as the commercial and industrial nerve centre of the

South East undoubtedly makes it imperative for an airport to be cited in

the state. With an airport in the state, businesses and tourism potentials

of the state will be greatly enhanced; there will be an influx of

employment that will immensely generate developmental initiatives.

The actualization of this dream is possible, with a determined and focused

mind set. Chief T. A. Orji Ochendo can deliver the Airport project before

the expiration of his tenure as Governor in 2015. Let all Abians bear

their mind on the Akwa Ibom State Airport experience. The project was

initiated by the former Governor Victor Attah barely one year to the end

of his second term tenure and he made it near a completion stage before

final completion by his able successor Chief Godswill Akpabio and today,

Akwa Ibom state can boast of varieties of economic benefits accruable from

the establishment of the airport. Judging from the aforementioned, Abia

can boast of an airport in less than two years.
With deep sense of modesty, we want to implore all Abians

to join Chief T.A Orji to keep the airport dream alive and

shun unfounded and baseless criticism for the interest of

the state, the region and the nation at large.
Emeka Anya
Chairman