By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The lawmaker representing Imo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Chukwuma Frank Ibezim has made case for an improved facilities at the Owerri International Cargo Airport.
He spoke during a recent oversight visit of combined Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Aviation to aviation agencies in Lagos.
Senator Ibezim had asked the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, (NAMA) Mr Mathew Pwajok why the Owerri International Cargo Airport should not have category two instrument landing system despite the fact that it ranks fourth in terms of passenger statistics and revenue generation.
The Owerri Airport currently operates on category one instrument landing system, (ILS) which restricts aircraft take offs and landings to 800 metres visibility.
The installation of catigory two lLS if effected will reduce the airport weather minimal to 300 metres as against 800 metres minimal visibility which applies at the moment.
“My people are suffering undue delays and flight cancellations as a result of this weather challenge and it’s affecting businesses in the South East ” Senator Ibezim noted, urging the relevant agencies urgently address the matter.
The NAMA boss and his Nigeria Civil Aviation counterpart, Captain Musa Nuhu assured that plans were in progress to upgrade the facilities at the airport because of the volume of traffic to Owerri.
They however stressed that the plans were being hampered by paucity of funds occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic stressing that the problem would be addressed as soon as the revenues improved.
Captain Nuhu further added that, “for category two ILS which is to be provided by NAMA to function efficiently, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN) must install a corresponding airfield lighting system and all these cost a lot of money”.
He however reiterated that, ” the airport deserves category two ILS because of the volume of aircraft and passenger movements currently being recorded at Owerri Airport and it must be installed soon”.