Umo Eno, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, has announced the creation of a full-fledged Ministry of Aviation and Airport Development with a mandate to manage and oversee policies, strategies and programmes for Aviation Development in the State and boost tourism
The new ministry will also oversee affairs at the Victor Attah International Airport (VAIA), making sure its newly acquired international status is properly maximised and harnessed to full potential.
Speaking on arrival at the Victor Attah International Airport from Accra, Ghana, Governor Eno mandated Uwem Ekanem, Managing Director of the Ibom Airport Development Company, to immediately take charge of the new Ministry pending the appointment of a commissioner.
According to the governor, the Ministry must ensure the effective patronage of the Victor Attah International Airport, supervise the creation of a robust aviation ecosystem and network to make sure Akwa Ibom becomes an aviation hub.
Speaking further on the new status of the airport, Governor Eno said the flight from the VAIA to the Accra International Airport and back had validated the process.
“Today, after all the hard work put into the realization of this moment, here we are, finally back on an international flight from Accra, landing Uyo for the first time in the history of this airport. The prefix international, has finally been validated”, the governor gushed with pride.
Continuing, he said, “We have spared no expense to make this terminal a true marvel of beauty to behold, and we should all be very proud of ourselves as a people”.
Also speaking were Solomon Daniel Etuk, the Oku Ibom, Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas) and Ekong Sampson, all poured encomium on the governor for the remarkable feat.