The stench of contractual fraud left behind
by Senator Stella Oduah during her tenure
as Minister of Aviation remains
unceasing. Oduah, whose time as a
minister under the administration of former
President Goodluck Jonathan was headlined by
the dodgy contract of two bullet-proof BMW cars
for her use, was elected senator in the last
general elections.
by Senator Stella Oduah during her tenure
as Minister of Aviation remains
unceasing. Oduah, whose time as a
minister under the administration of former
President Goodluck Jonathan was headlined by
the dodgy contract of two bullet-proof BMW cars
for her use, was elected senator in the last
general elections.
The latest installment of controversy of her
legacy as a minister is coming from the Akanu
Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, which was
closed down for over two years to allow for its
upgrade into a real international airport. To this
end, a contract was awarded at the cost of
N86billion.
The airport runway, built in the 70s, stretches
over a distance of 2.6km , which was to be
extended to 3.6km to meet the global
international runway standards.The old 2.6km
runway was pot-hole ridden, making it risky for
landing.
extended to 3.6km to meet the global
international runway standards.The old 2.6km
runway was pot-hole ridden, making it risky for
landing.
Palliative measures were occasionally carried out
on the runway at night to arrest further
deterioration of the runway, but they did not
eliminate the risk.
The contractor’s brief was to scrape off the
original 2.6km runway that and construct an
entirely new one. However, what was done the
dressing of its surface and the addition of a new
one-kilometer stretch to make it 3.6km. But even
the new one was shoddily built, making it unable
to meet the standard specifications for runway
construction.
Sources revealed to this medium that no soil
analysis was conducted before construction.
This has been blamed for the regular flooding
when the rains come.
Being the only one runway at the airport, not
more than one plane can land or take off at the
same time. The runway, as it is, cannot
accommodate bigger planes like Boeing 747 and
777, a situation that makes the airport less than
a lucrative destination for airlines. The airport is
made more unappealing regarding profit by the
absence of cargo warehouse facilities.
And currently, despite the vast amounts
expended, there is no perimeter fencing around
the runway. A case of a loiterer blocking a plane
from taking off was reported late last year.
Also, the airport does not have instrument
landing systems, ILS.
It has an improvised solar lighting on the
runway; the airport authorities said works for
between two to three hours daily. Ideally, it
should work all day. Similarly unavailable are
CCTV cameras. The shuttle bus service for
passengers has been discontinued by the Federal
Aviation Authority (FAAN). As a result,
passengers are left to trek to the aircraft even
when it is raining.
The decrepit situation at the airport has led to
the decision of Lufthansa and Emirates airlines
to defer the commencement of their ope rations
on that route. Moreover, the runway represents a
clear and present danger to flight safety.
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