By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – A governorship aspirant in the upcoming Anambra State election, Hon. Chris Azubogu, has said he is impressed with the images indicating the level of work at the ongoing Anambra State International Cargo/Passenger Airport, being constructed by the outgoing Governor Willie Obiano’s administration.
Azubogu is a member of the House of Representatives, who intends to contest the election on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in order to upstage the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state.
Responding to questions from his supporters about his position on the airport project on his Facebook page, especially with regards to the controversy surrounding the project, he said he would rather focus on how to make the airport viable when elected governor in the November 6 election.
“For me, the next thing for us is to focus on how to create thriving economic activities that will attract traffic to the airport and make it more viable.
“I have always maintained that the airport project is already ongoing and Governor Obiano has stated that it will be ready within the year. So the issue of whether Anambra State needs an airport or not has been defeated since the airport is already here with us,” he said.
He continued, “One of the questions people keep on asking me while I seek the mandate of our people on the November 6 Governorship election has always been what is my position on the ongoing Anambra Airport Project.
“If elected the Governor of Anambra State by God’s grace, we will focus on putting infrastructure that will advance our quest to lead in the manufacturing sector and exportation of goods from Anambra State through the airport and, thereby, making it viable.
“Anambra State will also pursue the Agro-processing hub project within the Omambala area, which will add value to our airport too.”
Azubogu also said that opening all the access roads to the airport and connecting all corners of the state with a good road network to make the airport more accessible will be pursued.
Through Intergovernmental relations, he revealed, his government would “collaborate with other neighbouring states and Federal Government to construct Anambra/Kogi Road via Anambra West LGA and Anambra/Enugu Road via Ayamelum LGA.
”This will make the airport easily accessible, also make the airport accessible to people from neighbouring parts of Kogi and Enugu states.
“We are also going to build double lanes along Nkwelle-Ezunaka 33 Road from the back of Onitsha GRA towards the Otuocha junction, which will reduce gridlock and give road users multiple options.
“The general focus is to build strong economic activities that will fuel aviation transportation activities through the state airport.
“As for the pictures I have seen so far from the airport site, I am impressed,” he stated.