Following the rainstorm, which wreaked havoc at the Akure airport last Monday, the Ondo governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Thursday, visited the airport to assess the level of destruction with assurance that operations would resume operations by next week.
Aiyedatiwa who described the extent of the damage as devastating, acknowledged the impact on airport operations but commended the swift response of the Federal Government through the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria in addressing the situation.
Aiyedatiwa said “The manager of the airport and the contractor have been working at the new terminal.
“We are here to look at the state of the airport after the storm of two nights ago. It’s so devastating, and so much damage has been caused.
“From the airspace manager, we were informed that about 65 knots were the strength of that wind, which is very strong and has caused so much damage to the infrastructure here.
“I want to commend the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, for the quick response by deploying his men to attend to this so that the airport can be brought back to operation as soon as possible”.
The Governor who announced the donation of a fire truck to the airport also promised additional support to bring the airport back to full operations.
According to him, flight operations are expected to resume at the airport next week, based on assurances from aviation authorities, as against the earlier notification of three months suspension of operations.
He said “a lot of work has started at the terminal building and the control tower, and we’ve been given assurance that by Sunday, flight operations will resume here at the airport”.
He reiterated the commitment of the state government towards supporting the repair process in any way necessary to ensure the airport reopens on schedule.
The Manager of the National Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Samuel Famuyiwa, reassured the public that the situation was under control and not as severe as previously reported.
It will be recalled that rainstorm struck on Monday, disrupting flight operations and damaging critical infrastructure at the airport.
The storm, with wind speeds recorded at approximately 65 knots, caused severe destruction to various airport facilities, including the terminal building and control tower.
Aiyedatiwa was accompanied by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami, Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr. Abiola Olawoye, member of the Ondo State House of Assembly representing Akure North constituency, Hon. Kolawole Ologede, and Chairman of Akure North Local Government, Mr. Ogunbolude Johnson, amongst others.
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