There are 28 mystery containers at Enugu airport, senator Ben-Bruce says as lawmakers declare the airport unsafe

The Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Aviation on Thursday expressed worry over the deplorable facilities of some airports in the country and declared the Akanu Ibiam Airport unsafe.

Sen. Muhammad Adamu (APC), representing Kebbi Central, expressed displeasure during a tour of the facility of the Port Harcourt International Airport.

Adamu said that the Senate had between 2015 and 2017 appropriated funds for completion of the remodelling of airports across the country.

In a report on the state of the Enugu Airport, Adamu said the situation was worrisome and needed urgent remedial measures to protect the airport users.

Describing the airport as unsafe for airline operations, the lawmaker urged FAAN to summon the contractors to fill the existing potholes on the runway for the safety of passengers.

“What we saw in Enugu airport was a very serious infrastructure decay, we saw potholes on the runway and this is very unsafe for aircrafts to land.

“We are surprised that international flights are operating at that airport where there is no running water and the toilets are in bad shapes,’’ he said.

Adamu disclosed that some international airlines like the Emirate Airlines had wanted to begin operations in Enugu but couldn’t because, after inspection of the facilities, they found there was no water or operational light on the runway.

According to him, it was impossible for aircrafts to land at night in Enugu airport.

The senator also revealed that despite the payment of over 40 percent of the contract sum for the new terminal that was being funded by a Chinese Bank (Exim Bank), the terminal had remained in a state of decay.

He said that so far, the record had shown that over N9 billion had been spent on the said terminal.

Also, angry senator Ben-Bruce took to social media to express his dissatisfaction over the deplorable state of the airport. He also talked about mystery containers at the airport.

He wrote: "Senate Aviation Committee on oversight in Enugu airport. Disgraceful airport. Dirty toilets. Failed runway, approach lights not working. Crater on runway. Falling roof. Infrastructure is in a complete state of decay. No lounge. No rest place for pilots or crew. Yet contractor has been paid in full. With over N100billion annual revenue from the aviation sector, I’m speechless! DISGRACEFUL!

"Currently, there are 28 mystery containers at the Enugu airport and no one knows what's inside. The containers have been here since Jan 2014."