The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said that Akure Airport that was affected by thunderstorm will restart operations next week.
The governor said this while speaking to journalists shortly after inspecting the affected areas of the airport to assess the extent of damages caused by rainstorm.
Recall that rainstorm l struck the airport two days ago disrupting flight operations and damaged critical infrastructure at the airport.
The disruption which occurred on Monday made passengers traveling from Akure Airport to Abuja and Lagos to be stranded on Wednesdays.
The storm, with wind speeds recorded at approximately 65 knots, caused severe destruction to various airport facilities, including the terminal building and control tower.
Ayedatiwa after inspecting the extent of damage described it as devastating and that it impacted on the airport
He commended the swift response of the Federal Government through the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in addressing the situation.
“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 two nights ago. It is 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,” he said.
He thereafter announced the donation of a fire truck to the airport while promising additional support to bring the airport back to full operations.
The Governor disclosed that flight operations are expected to resume at the airport next week after a series of discussions with the management of the airport, based on assurances from aviation authorities, as against the earlier notification of a three-month suspension “A lot of work has started at the terminal building and the control tower, and we have been given assurance that by Sunday, flight operations will resume here at the airport,” he said.
Ondo State Government, the Governor said is committed to supporting the repair process in any way necessary to ensure the airport reopens on schedule.
The Manager of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Akure Airport, Engr. Samuel Famuyiwa, also reassured the public that the situation was under control and not as severe as previously reported.
The Governor 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, among other officials.
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