Enugu Airport: A twist, a slant

Please, exactly what is wrong with the Federal Government’s intention to temporarily close down Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, in order to effect repairs to its dilapidated runway?

Why am I reading all sorts of insinuations and innuendos about this decision? Why has the reason for the intended closure been given a twist and a slant?

I am reading conflicting reports. Some say the closure is for security reasons; others say it is for safety reasons. Those who say the reason for the intended closure is for security concerns query why airports in the north have not been closed despite insecurity in the region. They are, in other words, insinuating that government has ulterior motive in the intended temporary closure of the airport.

Why is it so difficult to differentiate between “security” and “safety”?

I think the reason for the intended temporary closure is pretty much obvious. Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, gave reasons. He said that apart from the bad condition of the airport runway, its length is also not ideal for international operations, and that the market, television masts and free trade zone need to be relocated for the airport to be fit for safe flights.

Bottomline: the airport is being closed for safety reasons – not security reasons.

The often-flooded airport premises and its dilapidated runway have always made negative news. Interestingly, it is some of the same people who have been lambasting government for the deplorable condition of the airport that are now giving the intended closure a slant in order to tag it what it is not.

This is the same people who have been accusing the government of neglecting the south-east. I remember when Kaduna airport was similarly temporarily closed for repair works in 2018, the government was lambasted for abandoning Enugu airport.

Now government wants to pay attention to the airport and all sort of falsehood is being manufactured to tag the government’s motive what it is not. Why must we twist everything because of petty politics?

Must politics becloud our sense of reasoning? There is safety concern with the airport and government wants to close it to effect repairs. How has that now become a problem?  Would we rather wait until a tragedy happens before we do the needful? I think government should be commended for being proactive here.