Royal March on Asaba Airport
In this report, Omon-Julius Onabu evaluates the significance of the recent visit of members of the Asaba traditional council to the airport in the Delta State capital
By the beginning of the year (2018) air traffic was expected to reach about 3.91 billion passengers at the growth rate of 5.4 per cent, going by Air Transport Association projections. The economic benefits of improved access to air travel facilities are numerous and compelling. Several measures have been employed by governments and airline owners to address certain issues and challenges in the aviation sector especially against the backdrop of the economically stimulating benefits of air travel. Standing out in bold relief is insufficiency of aviation facilities, particularly standard airports to cope with the steadily growing number of passengers and even the volume of cargo.
Nigeria, despite its huge population and a rapidly expanding economy, in terms of size and sophistication levels, has only 30 airports; and, though five of these are so labeled, only four currently function as international airports. Thus, the real need to address aviation cum air travel deficit in the country obviously justifies the establishment of the Asaba International Airport by the Delta State Government. In other words, the building of an airport in Asaba, the state capital, is definitely not a white elephant. It is clearly a well-conceived response in the light of the implications of the projection of huge passenger growth, which makes expansion in both international and regional or local airport hubs inevitable.
However, the airport in the last few years has been immersed in controversy stemming from the downgrading of the airport about seven years after construction work on the facility commenced. On April 27, 2015 the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) slammed its big hammer on the fledging Asaba facility. Citing an undulating runway, a meddlesome range of surrounding hills, poor lighting of the runways and taxiways, lack of perimeter fencing and inadequate number of well-trained airport personnel as major grounds, the NCAA formally downgraded Asaba International Airport. At the time, the Emmanuel Uduaghan administration was only one month shy of its exit.
Nonetheless, acknowledging the importance of the project to the development agenda of his administration, and indeed future generations of Delta State, the state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, wasted no time in mobilising resources towards a speedy upgrade of the airport. Following due legislature approval, a N5.01 billion loan facility was soon ready, and the upgrade commenced in earnest. Two other companies were engaged by the government to undertake certain aspects of the project, which had an indigenous construction firm, ULO Consultants, as the main contractor. However, one thing led to another and the contractor could not deliver the completed project in three to four months as stipulated on paper. Incidentally, the story was unchanged after even at least three completion deadline rescheduling. It became crystal clear that something had to give.
The Asagba-in-council visits the airport
It was hardly surprising, therefore, when the management and workers of the Asaba Airport had the rare experience of playing host to a high-powered delegation of traditional chiefs from the royal palace of the Asagba of Asaba, HRM (Prof.) Chike Edozien, the traditional ruler of Asaba Kingdom, jolted by the situation. But for the fact that his royal majesty was then away on medical vacation to the United States of America, and as well the absence of the Iyase, the traditional prime minister and renowned technocrat, Chief Patrick Onyeobi, the entire council was practically on ground at the airport with all its awe-inspiring splendour.
The mission of the noblemen – arrayed as they were in immaculate robes made from intricately woven Akw’ocha famed Anioma (Delta North) cloth – was simple: To see firsthand the ongoing upgrading work in the light of the cacophony of claims and counter-claims concerning the termination of the contract with ULO and engagement of another indigenous firm, Setraco. The Asaba monarch is anxious about the fate of the project and decided to ascertain the veracity of the streams of controversies about the scope of the work already done or being done. As the spokesman of the regal delegation told newsmen, who had laid siege at the place on learning of the visit, the rumour mill has been active with varied and baffling tales about why the completion of the prestigious facility has been sign-posted by claims and counter-claims of contract breaches.
Inspection and royal interrogation
Special Project Director for the airport project, Austin Ayemidejor, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Works, Fred Edafiogor and Jihad Yaghi, who is the Area Manager of Setraco construction firm handling the project, conducted the royal team through the 3.4 kilometres runway where the undulating portions were being peeled off and reinforced with thicker layers of stones and asphalt. Their efforts were supplemented by the state Commissioner for Works, James Auguoye and his Information counterpart, Patrick Ukah.
The delegation of the Asagba-in-Council, which is an equivalent of the State Executive Council, also inspected the expanded drainage system designed to properly channel all water and flood from the runways and taxiways and other parts of the airport. The visitors were, moreover, conducted round other functional facilities at the airport, including the Fire Service Station, the Flight Watchtower, VIP Lounge and Luggage Hall, with dual carriage elevators as well as Terminal Building.
Perhaps, the most significant aspect of the royal march through the airport was the question-and-answer session that rounded off the tour. Notwithstanding the fact that the chiefs took every opportunity to ask questions or seek clarifications on the remoulding work at every point, they generally exhibited professional adroitness with their probing questions on the concept, design, construction and sustainable functionality of the various features comprising
The Asaba monarch is anxious about the fate of the project and decided to ascertain the veracity of the streams of controversies about the scope of the work already done or being done