By Godwin Okeh, Abakaliki The governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi has said that the state will construct airport next year.
Umahi said this when a delegation of the Ethiopian Airlines paid him a courtesy call, noting that the airport might not be the biggest in the country but would be the most functional and beautiful one.
The governor noted that his administration is poised to accomplish all projects it set out to do, stressing that its business consultants would also liaise with airline to assist government officials who intend travelling, obtain
discounted tickets.
“I am not happy about the quality of aircrafts sent to the country by the airline, especially to Nigeria especially the ones sent to the Akanu Ibiam International airport Enugu.
He noted that he had also complained about Emirate airlines on such issues because people fly on more beautiful airlines on getting to Dubai, even the ones you can bath inside on first-class.
“I will not allow such situations if I were Nigeria’s president because we have to be treated like citizens of other countries by the airline,” he said.
The governor also complained about the time passengers spend waiting to board Ethiopian airline flights, noting that it extends to 14 hours most times.
“Passengers also complain bitterly about the lounge and if one waits such for such time, the person should do so with comfort and am also not happy as the chairman of the south east governors forum, that no Ebonyi citizen works with the airline.
He suggested to the airline to dedicate flights that would fly through Enugu to Abuja and Lagos, especially those that would fly in the evenings.
“The route to Lagos and Abuja from Enugu is viable and such flights can take passengers to those places by 4pm and bring back those who want to return to Enugu by 5.pm” he stated.
Responding, the Leader of the delegation who is the Traffic and Sales Manager of the Airline, Enugu Office, Mr Solomon Mengistu said that the airline acknowledges the south-east states’ importance to Nigeria, West Africa and entire continent.
“We are the only international carrier in the south east zone and intend to strengthen our relationship with the region generally and Ebonyi in particular.
He noted that the airline continually improves on its products and services to “meet our customers’ expectation as Enugu is our chosen gateway into the south east.”
