Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has expressed satisfaction with the standard of facilities and level of preparedness at the Victor Attah International Airport Uyo, ahead of the commencement of international flights
Keyamo noted that Akwa Ibom State is already ahead of the planned take-off scheduled for April 2026.
The minister who spoke after the inspection of facilities said all relevant agencies and facilities were set for the new status of the airport.
“Having heard from all the agencies involved in an international airport ecosystem, they were all here with us and we held a closed-door meeting.
“From Customs to Quarantine, the Nigeria Immigration Service, NDLEA, Police, DSS, NEMA, and all aviation agencies.
“From all we have heard, Akwa Ibom State is already ahead of the plan. They are not behind but ahead. We thought the gaps to be closed would be many, but they are virtually very small. Akwa Ibom State has gone ahead of schedule to become a full-blown international airport,” he stated.
Facilities inspected included the brand new and well-equipped international terminal and the MRO, which he described as one of the standard requirements for an international airport. He stressed that the State is ready to render its aviation services to the world and make the State proud.
“This facility we are seeing here is the MRO. That means all international airlines coming here have a facility where they can conduct routine checks before they fly out again. It is one of the standard requirements of any international airport.”
He described Akwa Ibom as a home of great people, blessed with successive and visionary leaders who have built on the quality foundation laid by the founding fathers, a gesture that has encouraged growth and facilitated rapid development in the State.
He thanked the Governor for building on the existing foundation laid by his predecessors, a choice that has raised the State to an enviable height.
“We can only thank the visionaries of Akwa Ibom State. We also thank God for Pastor Umo Eno, who has actually consummated every plan of his predecessors. He has not abandoned the State’s Master Plan.
“Akwa Ibom State has been blessed with a succession of visionary leaders, and every one of them has been God-sent to this place. This is just one of the lines of successors we have here.
“We are happy that Umo Eno took it from where he met it, and by God’s grace, it is during his time that every foundation and seed laid 25 years ago has come to fruition,” he stated.
On his part, Governor Eno commended past leaders of the State for laying the solid foundation that has enhanced growth and development.
“It is humbling, I must tell you. And like the Minister has said, I have always said that Akwa Ibom is blessed with good leaders. We should stop castigating them and stop insulting them. They laid a good foundation, and each administration has built on it.
“But for me, it is the grace of God. God used them to begin the work, but the promise could not be realized without us. So we have seen this playing out, and we thank God for the privilege. I thank the Akwa Ibom people for giving us that opportunity,” he said.
Governor Eno thanked the Minister for his honesty and zealous, passionate efforts towards ensuring that the facilities are properly utilised for the overall economic benefit of the country.
Governor Eno appreciated President Tinubu’s administration for granting approval for the upgrade in the status of the Victor Attah International Airport and thanked past leaders for their visionary leadership in laying the foundation that has allowed development to thrive in the State.
He also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the prompt release of funds for project execution in the State.
“Let me also thank the Honourable Minister for his interest. You saw the zeal that he has displayed. Let me also thank the President and Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for releasing statutory funds for development.
“This is not built with borrowed money. As you know, Akwa Ibom is not owing any bank a dime today. It is State funds. If he did not make the funds available, there is no way we would have got to where we are today,” he said.
