By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – Anambra State Government officials have expressed disappointment as the scheduled commissioning of the brand new Anambra Cargo/ Passenger Airport, Umueri, may have suffered a setback as rumours are rife that the event had been postponed, on the eve of the widely publicised flag off of commercial flights operation in the airport.
The event was billed for Saturday, October 30, 2021, according to information made available by the Anambra state government, as earlier reported by 365Daily.
But a twist to the highly anticipated event emerged in the evening of Thursday, October 28, 2021, as the state owned Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), quoted Mr. C. Don Adinuba, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, to have “raised the alarm over alleged plan to scuttle the proposed commissioning ceremony of the Anambra International Airport, scheduled to hold this Saturday, 30th October, 2021.”
According to the report, Adinuba was said to have attributed the development to politics, stating that he was informed that the aviation regulators cited security as reason for the cancellation of the proposed commissioning.
In a seeming confirmation of the development, the Managing Director of ABS, Dr. Uche Nworah, wrote on his Facebook page, “This country has since gone to the dogs. I feel sad that the planned opening of Anambra Airport for commercial operations this coming Saturday, October 30 is under serious threat. Politics has gotten in the way of economic development and prosperity.
“Abuja alleges security threat but don’t regular flight operations still go on in states with high incidents of banditry, kidnappings and insurgency up north?
“Ndi Anambra tetanu na ula.”
That Facebook post, expectedly elicited a number of responses from both critics and supporters of the state government.
While the critics were quick to mock the government for using the airport for mere propaganda, supporters chided them for being blurred by partisan politics.
Reacting to Dr. Nworah’s assertion, a Facebook user, Obi Trice Emeka, wrote, “Chief, are you on this cheap propaganda too?
“You know the Airport opening was a façade. You guys photoshopped Air Peace ticket. Air Peace never announced it was flying to Anambra on its website or Facebook page as it usually do for all routes. Desperate to cover the web of lies you guys created you term it politics and invent imaginary names to save face.”
But another, Daniel Scott Ofoneme, who apparently considered that comment uncharitable, responded to him thus, “Stop Talking rubbish, I booked the flight from Abuja and I didn’t just use the “Book on Hold” I went to Air Peace outlet at Silver Bird in Central Business District to confirm and pay for the flight.
“I still have my booking reference and the print out I got from the lady.
“I have also gotten an email confirming my booking of the Abuja-Anambra route.
“Even at this moment if you go to Air Peace online booking platform you will see Abuja to Anambra listed.
“Do you think you are talking to illiterates?
“I’m already pissed at the possibility of missing my engagements scheduled for 30th in the east don’t add to it by insulting my sensibility and others who have booked to fly.
“Everything is not Politics”
365daily gathered that the obviously disturbed Governor Willie Obiano, “is already discussing with the highest authority” and is positive that the issue will be resolved, as the state government had met all the requirements