Goodluck Jonathan, the former president, came at Ebonyi State’s Chuba Okadigbo International Airport on Saturday as the state government reiterated its invitation to airlines, private aircraft operators, and other aviation users to use the facility.
The Deputy Governor, Princess Patricia Onyemaechi Obila, welcomed Jonathan on behalf of the Ebonyi State Government together with members of the State Executive Council and other high-ranking officials as he arrived at around 8:00 a.m. in a private plane.
The former president was travelling to Boki Local Government Area in Cross River State to attend a function with members of his entourage, including Dr Peter Akpeh, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.
Jonathan’s usage of the airport further highlighted its strategic importance as a developing gateway into Ebonyi State, according to a statement released on Saturday by Chief Ikeuwa Omebeh, Commissioner for Information and State Orientation.
According to him, consistent use of the airport is still essential to optimising its economic and developmental advantages, especially in the areas of connectivity, investment, tourism, commerce, and the flow of people and commodities.
“The former President’s arrival highlights the strategic significance of the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport as a major gateway into Ebonyi State,” Omebeh stated.
The commissioner went on to say that the government was dedicated to the facility’s ongoing development and use as a significant aviation gateway for Ebonyi State and the surrounding area.
Jonathan’s visit coincides with the Ebonyi Government’s continuous attempts to address the airport’s unresolved operational problems and move forward with preparations to start scheduled commercial aviation operations.
In order to enable full commercial operations, the state administration had previously announced that significant work had been finished at the airport and that further interventions and regulatory procedures were being sought.
Deputy Governor Obila, Omebeh, Commissioner for Lands Chief Matthew Nwobashi, Commissioner for Transport Emeka Igboke, Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Business Development Chief Oguzor Offia Nwali, Commissioner for Health Dr Moses Ikenna Ekuma, and other high-ranking government officials met the former President at the airport.
Obila personally escorted Jonathan and his group to the Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, where he was supposed to attend the event, after the reception.
The statement states that Jonathan is scheduled to return to Ebonyi later in the day for dinner at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Lodge, Government House, Abakaliki, before travelling to the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport to continue his journey to Bayelsa State.
According to Omebeh, the government appreciated the previous president’s use of the airport and saw his visit as a sign of trust in the establishment.
He restated the administration’s commitment to positioning the airport to boost economic activity, enhance connectivity, and enable more travel into and out of the state.