The Akwa Ibom State Government has expressed confidence that the Victor Attah International Airport will soon commence international flight operations following the arrival of two Passenger Boarding Bridges (PBBs) at the new smart terminal building.
The extra-long bridges, which move at a speed of 25km/hr, arrived at the airport by midday on Monday after leaving Onne Port in Rivers State three days earlier. Lighter components had arrived earlier on Saturday, marking another milestone in the state’s aviation development plan.
Officials, including the State Commissioner for Finance and Special Duties, Emem Bob, Chairman of VKS Construction Ltd., Engr. Oliver Ebong, and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr. Essien Ndueso, were present to witness the arrival.
Commissioner Emem Bob said Governor Umo Eno is committed to delivering a world-class airport, with operations expected to begin by the first week of April. He praised the Governor’s “finisher’s anointing” in completing projects without borrowing funds.
Engr. Ebong, whose company is handling the project, assured that the terminal will be ready by the end of March, ahead of the April deadline. He described the facility as the first of its kind in Nigeria, equipped with advanced ICT, electricity supply, and security technology.
“Some of these equipment have never been brought into the country, hence it was difficult to appropriately label them during transit. But we are happy they have safely arrived,” Ebong said while conducting journalists around the terminal.
By Emeka Samuel, Uyo
