Prince Arthur Eze, the billionaire Chairman of Orient Petroleum marked history last Tuesday as his private jet was the first aircraft to land at the upgraded Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
After he landed at the airport he extolled President Jonathan’s administration saying, “Thanks to the President, this is the first time this is happening to the people of the South East.
“Other presidents before him came here and promised us an international airport, but it never came to be, but today we are happy that President Goodluck Jonathan has made this dream of our people come true… This is the greatest thing that has happened to the people, I am the greatest beneficiary.”
Eze flew in from Senegal in a private jet with tail number 5MPZE and landed at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport at 3p.m.
“I flew from Europe to Senegal and from Senegal I flew directly to this airport. The flight took us four hours non-stop and we were flying at about 45,000 feet above sea level. I am happy and grateful to God,” Eze enthused.
Speaking on the development, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State said “We’re quite delighted about this historic inaugural flight. As a state and region, we’re eternally grateful to Mr. President for his commitment and genuine efforts that culminated in the commencement of commercial international flights to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport. We also thank Mr. President for the completion of the remodelling of the airport and the ongoing work at the international wing.
“We are equally thankful to Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, Mrs. Fidelia Njeze and Mrs. Stella Oduah for their roles in seeing that this milestone event will change the fortunes and landscape of not only Enugu State, but also the entire South East zone.
“As a government, we will continue to support Ethiopian Airlines while also calling on other airlines to emulate them. We want to reassure our people and other passengers and staff of the airlines that we will continue to go the extra mile to ensure their safety.
“On behalf of the government and good people of Enugu State, I welcome all our people to the reception of the first commercial international flight.”
“We’re quite delighted about this historic inaugural flight. As a state and region, we’re eternally grateful to Mr. President for his commitment and genuine efforts that culminated in the commencement of commercial international flights to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport. We also thank Mr. President for the completion of the remodelling of the airport and the ongoing work at the international wing.
“We are equally thankful to Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, Mrs. Fidelia Njeze and Mrs. Stella Oduah for their roles in seeing that this milestone event will change the fortunes and landscape of not only Enugu State, but also the entire South East zone.
“As a government, we will continue to support Ethiopian Airlines while also calling on other airlines to emulate them. We want to reassure our people and other passengers and staff of the airlines that we will continue to go the extra mile to ensure their safety.
“On behalf of the government and good people of Enugu State, I welcome all our people to the reception of the first commercial international flight.”
Quoting President Jonathan, Aviation minister, Stella Oduah said: “The South East region of Nigeria, with this international airport, can confidently say to the world, we are open for business. The region and its environs are indeed open for business,” adding that the inaugural flight was equally revolutionary as it would certainly change the way of life of the inhabitants of the region.
She added: “Before now, anyone residing in the zone and hoping to embark on international trip to other African, Asian, European and American countries, had to suffer the agony of travelling to either Port Harcourt, Lagos, Abuja or Kano, not out of choice, but by compulsion to catch a flight.
“There was a very good reason for the decision to confer international status on this airport. As I am sure you all know, Enugu is the gateway to the South East region, the home of entrepreneurship in Nigeria. With such a large number of enterprising people with a huge propensity to travel both within and outside the country pursuing various business interests, people of this region have always had to travel first, either to Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja or Kano in order to be able to travel out of the country on business trips.
“As business people, speed and time are of the essence. Thus the ability to travel directly to your destination abroad or as directly from your base as possible increases the speed of your transactions by reducing the time you spend travelling to and from there. The same applies to goods procured abroad and air-freighted into the country for business purposes. The more directly imported goods can be air-freighted to the region for its businessmen and women, the faster their goods and products can get to the market”.
Leave a Reply