Ogene said social media reports trending on different social media handles were very unfortunate as people play politics with every matter.
He urged journalists to investigate reports on the issue.
Ogene tasked media practitioners to dig deep and ask piercing questions on issues bordering on lives and social development of the state.
“Journalists should search very deep into whatever news content is available to you to ascertain the true information and feed the public richly, do not depend on press releases always,” he advised.
Ogene asked: “How can the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) work against the treasure of the state he longs to govern?”
He therefore urged the public to disregard such error of statement.
Ogene added that Ubah couldn’t have stopped the commissioning of the Anambra International Passenger and Cargo Airport, Umueri, for commercial flight operations slated for October 30 because he is not the Aviation Minister nor an official of any of the Aviation agencies.
“As a citizen, he is delighted by the prospects of the state to have a cargo and passenger airport,” he stated.
Speaking further, he cautioned against the deliberate politicisation of a means of transportation, adding that the process of building an Airport for the state started with land acquisition by ex-Governor Peter Obi’s Administration, and now the construction by Gov. Willy Obiano.
He continued by adding that an aiport is constantly in need of development and upgrade and the fear expressed by people over the Anambra Airport project is the undue haste with which Obiano seemed to be in to commission the airport for purely political considerations.
According to him, Aviation business cannot be run like a motor park venture.
“Early 2021, Obiano said he would ensure the takeoff of the Airport before he leaves office. Now, the question is: Is Obiano leaving office this year?” he queried.
Ogene also noted that Obiano requested in 2022 budget, still under consideration, the sum of N10 billion for the completion of the Airport project.
“Now, if the airport is already completed and set to begin commercial activities, what is the N10 billion to be used for?” he asked.
Ogene further added that if the airport was due for operation in its essence, when was advertisement for recruitment of staff done and other facilities that need to be in place provided at the airport before operation?
He said that these and many other problems are what the people of Anambra are genuinely worried about because aviation safety is a serious business which must not be tainted by political considerations.
In a swift reaction, Mr. C Don Adinuba, Commissioner for Information and Publicity, said that the safety of the airport is right and assured that all is in place.
Adinuba said that the state has done its part due to the airport and that aviation duties has been planned for.
Adinuba said that since April 30, 2021, the airport has been in use and every facility required to make the airport functional is on ground with all documentation.
“APC Anambra has successfully sabotaged landing of planes to touch down in day of commissioning but the truth is that we are victorious,” he said.
He said that news circulating the social media that Air Peace cancelled their flight to Umueri airport on discovery that the airport was not good enough was false.
“Airpeace was to board passenger from Lagos and Abuja on October 30 but was cancelled on reason of security, that is all,” he said.
The Commissioner said that the N10 billion in the 2022 budget was not out of place because of maintenance of the airport because development of an airport is a continuous one.