The Anambra State Government has been commended for embarking on a cargo airport project in the state.

Senator Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation, in a statement said that the cargo airport project would positively impact on the economic development of the state and the South East region as a whole.

A statement by James Odaudu, Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Aviation, said that Sirika made the statement on Tuesday when he received Mr. Willie Obiano, the Governor of Anambra State in his office in Abuja.

Sirika assured the governor that the Ministry of Aviation and its agencies would always give the necessary guide and cooperation to states embarking on such projects in order to ensure that all internationally set standards were met.

The statement hinted that Sirika insisted airports could be viable if they were built with specific objectives in mind like the one embarked upon by the State Government.

Sirika expressed the belief that the Anambra airport would be successful in serving the interests of the trading population of the state and environs.

He charged the governor to sustain the ongoing collaboration with the regulatory authorities to ensure that all regulations and guidelines for the construction and operation of airports were met.

In his speech, Obiano expressed confidence that the Anambra International Cargo Airport, located at Umueri would be ready for commissioning in April, 2021 and hoped that Sirika would be available to commission the airport when completed.

He said: “We are sure of the date because we have the money to compete it. We are not asking for any assistance, neither are we taking any loans. I am here personally to brief you on the project and to invite you to commission it for us in April 2021.”

Obiano explained further that the decision to embark on the airport project was informed by the need to cater for the economic interests of the state and its environs.

The airport, he said, had the second longest runway in the country, after the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, built with the best available materials, with a guaranteed lifespan of 100 years.

“The airport is just a few kilometres from Onitsha town, the economic nerve centre of the south east region. It is strategically located and is a worthwhile investment.”

He stated that the construction of the airport has been guided by recommendations and guidelines of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as it hoped to meet the best international standards.