The minister of Aviation, Senator Had Sirika has announced that the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, would reopen on August 30, 2020.
The minister stated this after inspecting the work done so far at the airport, which he placed at 95 per cent completion.
Sirika, who lamented the delay of the work at the airport due to COVID-19 and rainfall, assured the people of southeast and Enugu in particular that the airport would be delivered on the said date.
While commending the Enugu State government and the southeast governors for their cooperation on carrying out the job, the minister stated that the newly built runway is one of the best in the country at the moment.
Sirika in a video message sent through the director, Public Affairs in the ministry, James Odaudu, said the government recognises the importance of the airport to the whole of the Southeast region, and the hardship occasioned by its closure.
While commending the handlers of the project, Sirika promised that work on the new terminal building at the airport, which is at 60 percent completion, would be completed as soon as possible.
It would be noted that the present administration met the terminal project at about 20 percent but had taken it to about 60 percent completion stage.
The airport was closed on August 24, last year for the rehabilitation of the runway and upgrade of other infrastructure to meet international standards.
Recall that the airport, which was closed down last August for rehabilitation work, was billed to be reopened for use before Easter 2020 but the outbreak of COVID-19 changed the plan.