By Uche Nworah
Very soon, just very soon, you will take off from Lagos, Abuja, P.H, Kano, Kaduna, London, New York etc and land in your fatherland, the land of the rising sun.
As you enjoy these amazing shots by James Eze of the runway of Anambra International Cargo and Passenger airport, as it blends into the Umueri skyline, imagine the economic possibilities.
Those naysayers who wonder whether this is real should believe. It’s as real as night and day.
Those who question the choice of an airport by Governor Willie Obiano over other things the government could have done with the resources should understand that government is a continuum. This government considers this airport project a priority likewise other infrastructural projects it has embarked on, because of the multiplier economic effect. The next government can focus on other areas and projects.
Those who question the idea behind the airport when there is Asaba, Enugu and Owerri airports should understand that there are lots of considerations in passengers and users choosing an airport to patronise such as (1) Proximity from home/office/departure point (2) State of origin effect/emotional and sentimental reasons/patronising your own to grow your state economy (3) Service availability e.g Cargo, hotels, shopping mall, etc (4) Flight schedules and routes available, etc. (5) Operating airlines (6) Ease of arriving at airport/ Note that traffic on Niger Bridge Onitsha sometimes lasts hours, etc
Note also that:
(1) The Anambra airport is not targeting only passengers and cargo users from Onitsha. The catchment is the whole Anambra State and South East states. If the cargo airport takes, you don’t need to go to NAHCO shed in Lagos and queue up to clear your goods if you are selling them in the South East. Anambra airport is nearer.
(2) Over time, Anambra entrepreneurs have demonstrated appreciable comparative advantage in airline management. Late Chief Ikwuemesi who owned Sosoliso airlines, Chief Allen Onyema, owner of Air Peace, and Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, owner of United Nigeria Airlines are all Ndi Anambra. Anambra -born Chief Chidi Anyaegbu, Owner of Chisco Transport has announced that the group’s Havila Airlines will take off shortly.
They have all indicated that they would make Anambra airport their hub.
If we should apply all these factors, then the Anambra airport beats Asaba and all the other south eastern airports in competitive terms.
• Nworah, a marketing communications expert, is the Managing Director of Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS).