Airports Ready To Cope With Sallah Rush – FAAN

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has assured air travellers that all the airports under its management are ready for the increased traffic during the Sallah celebrations.

FAAN’s acting General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu said all logistics were in place for in-bound and out-bound travellers.

“Airport security and other logistics have been upgraded and strengthened to provide for the expected increase in passenger traffic in and around our airports.

“New directional display units have been provided to guide travellers, especially new ones, at our airports. 

Airport dos and don’ts banners have also been displayed at strategic locations to educate newcomers,” she said in a statement.

By Ifreke Inyang

How to Invest in Anambra: 31st Edition of Anambra Scorecard Focuses on ANSIPPA and the Anambra International Airport City Project

With the recent flag off of the construction of an international airport city in Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area by Gov Willie Obiano of Anambra State, the vision to make the now safest State in Nigeria the first choice investment destination and a hub for commercial activities is being actualized.

       

The multi billion dollar airport city project is for the development, under a Build, Operate, Manage & Transfer (BOMT) arrangement of an Airport City (Aerotropolis) comprising an International Cargo Airport and an aviation fuel dump where aircrafts will fly in to refuel with the following facilities:

Two runways, passenger and VIP terminal, taxiways and aprons, fire station, control building and towers, aviation fuel dispensing facilities, airport cargo sheds, aircraft maintenance hanger, five star airport hotel and conference center, aviation training and services buildings, airport multilevel car parks, airport recreational areas, international mega shopping mall, luxury retail shopping, China wholesale depots, emergency service centers, industrial business park, etc.

The new airport project being widely applauded from within and outside the State due to its uniqueness is just one of the numerous investments valued $7.2bn attracted within just 3 years of the present administration through the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency, ANSIPPA.

ANSIPPA, being a one stop shop for investors run by seasoned professionals, fast tracks investment in Anambra by simplifying the process and helping quality investors to key into the prevailing socially stable and business-friendly environment in the State... Kudos to #ObianoEffect!

Thus, with us on the 31st Edition of Anambra Scorecard is Chief Joe Billy Ekwunife, the MD/CEO of ANSIPPA, and we shall be discussing the topic, "ANSIPPA and the Anambra International Airport City Project."

Here's your opportunity to know more about the new airport project! What are the opportunities? How can you participate and benefit from the project? Also, how to invest in Anambra State… Find Out!!!

Be part of the discussion on this online Live Programme where the led engage their leaders with Ifeanyi ANIAGOH as the host.

Don't miss this edition of Anambra Scorecard holding today, Thursday, April 13, 2017 by 4pm.

Follow the discussion Live on Facebook and Twitter @IfeanyiAniagoh.

Anambra Scorecard... Engage Your Leaders!

Did you miss the flag off of Anambra Airport City Project yesterday? Here's the Full Text of Gov Obiano's Speech

Anambra is on the Rise!

An Address presented by the Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano during the Flag off of the Umueri International Cargo Airport Project on April 11, 2017

Ndi Anambra, three years into my first term in office, I stand before you today to answer the call of history. In Christian numerology, the number 3 is the number of perfect manifestation. So, three years into my administration, the Lord God Almighty has given us a new VISION and a new SONG!

Umu nnem, our elders say that na Ugo gbuzuo, ochakee! Anambra State has finally hit the bend in the river and our famous can-do spirit has now taken over! From now on, we have nothing more to fear! Nothing! Not even ourselves!

Ndi Anambra, when I took over the reins of leadership of this great state three years ago, I delivered an Inaugural Address titled – Expanding the Frontiers of Excellence. The historic ceremony we have gathered to perform here today is a very important step in expanding the frontiers of excellence in Anambra State!

Indeed, it is important to note that my Team and I have got a few things right in the past three years. Against all expectations and at a time of great economic recession, we have established our beloved state as a compelling investment destination and attracted investments valued at over 5 billion US Dollars. And with this airport city project, the figure now stands at 7.2 billion US Dollars. We have also successfully placed Anambra on the agricultural map and blazed a trail with the exportation of our farm produce to the UK. In addition, we have positioned Anambra as the safest state in Nigeria and completely re-engineered the social architecture of our beloved state. Finally, we have re-awakened self-belief among our people and provoked their can-do spirit. Ladies and gentlemen, Anambra is finally on the RISE!

Ndi Anambra, what we have come to flag off in Umeri today is not your usual airport project. Mbanu! Nke anyi di iche! What we are flagging off today is an Airport City Project with a model that will accommodate an airport with two runways, an aviation fuel dump, an airport hotel, an industrial business park, an international convention centre as well as a facility for aircraft maintenance. The Umueri airport city project is conceived to join some of the most advanced airports in the world with a capacity to land any of the most sophisticated vessels known to man today. It sits on 1500 hectares of land with enough elbowroom for expansion from Ivite Umueri to neighbouring communities such as Nando, Umunya, Otuocha, Aguleri, Nteje, Nsugbe and beyond.

The project is estimated to cost over 2 billion US Dollars. It is a partnership between the Government of Anambra State, Orient Petroleum Resources Limited and Elite International Investments Limited (Sinoking Enterprises Limited).

Under the contractual agreement, Elite International Investments Limited will provide all the funds needed for the project under the Build-Operate-Manage-and-Transfer arrangement. However under the same SPV arrangement, the Anambra Airport City Infrastructure Limited has allocated 75% equity stake to Elite International Investments Limited, 20% to Oreint Petroleum Resources Limited and 5% to the Government of Anambra State. The host communities are entitled to 3% of the profit from this project in perpetuity as a part of the standard corporate social responsibility.

Indeed, the economic benefits of the Umueri Airport City Project are enormous. It is expected to generate 1,200 direct and 3600 indirect jobs. We expect that Ndi Anambra will grab 70% of these jobs in continuation of our efforts to create wealth and prosperity for our people. It will also provide an opportunity for training and skills transfer to our people. I have no doubts whatsoever that this project will have a tremendous impact on the ease of doing business in Anambra State as it opens a direct access by air to our vast markets. In particular, I hope that on completion, the Umueri Airport City Project will wipe out the difficulties our businessmen and women often encounter in exporting and importing goods and services and help in improving the entire supply chain.

Ladies and gentlemen, with this project and our subsequent plan for a light rail project, Anambra State will eventually assume its rightful place as a major commercial and industrial hub in the West African sub-region. As you are aware, my administration is intensely focused on building projects that have immense economic values. That is why we have concentrated efforts in building roads and bridges that either lead to industrial clusters or the oilfields or the agricultural belt of the state.

This Airport City Project follows the same trajectory. That is why we have established a strong synergy between Orient Petroleum Resources Plc and the Airport project with a view to operating an Aviation Fuel Segment that will attract both local and foreign airlines to refuel their aircraft in Umueri. This will no doubt open a new economic corridor for our beloved state as it is expected to stimulate growth in the oil and gas sector and multiply our revenue sources. It is my candid hope also that when this airport becomes operational, the world will have a direct and easy access to the vast tourism offerings of Ogbunike Cave and Ogbaukwu Caves and Waterfalls as well as the timeless archaeological treasures of Igboukwu!

Ndi Anambra, our beloved state is fast opening its doors to the world. Let us join hands and welcome the benefits that knock on our collective door!

Umu nnem, please, always remember that wherever you are and whatever you do, our ancestors left us with a timeless reminder that Aku luo uno, amalu onye kpalu ya!

My colleagues and I are waiting eagerly to receive you, go through your business plan and offer you the assistance you need to make your enterprise sink deep roots in the soil of Anambra State!

Ndi Anambra, chi efogo nu! Olugonu na omume!

God bless Anambra State!

God bless the shining light that we bear!

Dalunu!

Willie Obiano

Governor