Safety is Top Priority in Asaba Airport Upgrade, Says Okowa

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

Security and safety of users of the Asaba Airport is being given weighted attention in the remoulding work on the airport, the Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has said.

Speaking while inspecting facilities at the airport, which was downgraded in April 2015 by Nigeria’s regulatory authorities, the Federal Civil Aviation Authority (FCAA), Okowa promised that the ongoing upgrade of facilities at the Asaba International Airport would place it at par with the best airports in the country.

The governor was conducted round the facilities by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ULO Consultants, Chief Uche L. Opkuno, the construction firm handling the airport project.

He said he would have continued to nudge the contracting firm to speed up the work but could not because of the state government’s concern for safety and security in line with global aviation standards.

The governor noted that funding was not a problem or cause of delay of completion of work as adequate loan facility was duly secured for the upgrading of the airport by the state government last year.

“Getting it right is very important,” Okowa noted, saying, “Airport is not about the structure but about the runway; and, we believe that when completed, the airport will be among the best in the country based on standard.
“They are moving at a good pace. It is not about the speed but getting it right, because if you get the slope or gradient right in the first segment, you will get it right in the second and third segments.”

Although, the governor could not be specific on the date of inauguration of the airport, he said that the contractor had assured that the first phase of the work would be concluded in the next ten days.

According to Okowa: “Funding is not the issue at the moment and I will regularly come here to ensure that the project is delivered in good time and for us to have about the best airport in the country.”

The contractor, Chief Okpuno, noted that a solid runaway and not the beautiful buildings was what makes a good, functional airport and assured the governor that work would be completed in the first segment (900 metres) of the runway within the next ten days.

He disclosed also that civil work on the Instrument Landing System has been completed, while installation was ongoing, noting that the equipment would greatly improve safety of the airport as it would reduce visibility problem to the barest minimum and allow aircraft to land and take off even when in foggy weather.