ABAKALIKI — The Ebonyi State Government has announced the temporary closure of the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport to allow for the completion of airfield lighting installation on the runway — a critical upgrade that will enable night-time and low-visibility flight operations.
The Commissioner for Aviation and Transport Technology, Mrs. Ngozi Obichukwu, made the announcement on Thursday during an inspection of the ongoing installation, emphasizing that the suspension of flight activities would last only a few weeks.
According to Obichukwu, the decision to halt operations was necessary to safely connect the newly installed airfield lights to the airport’s power system without the risk of incoming or outgoing aircraft during the process.
“We want to temporarily suspend flight operations to hook up the lighting system to the power chambers. The suspension is very temporary — it may not even last up to three weeks,” she assured.
Highlighting the progress made since the airport began full operations three months ago, the commissioner revealed that over 75 commercial and chartered flights have already taken off or landed at the facility. She praised the growing patronage from travelers across Cross River, Abia, Benue, and other surrounding states, noting the airport’s emerging role as a regional aviation hub.
The airfield lighting project, spanning the airport’s 3.1-kilometer runway, will guide pilots during night and cloudy weather conditions, significantly boosting the airport’s capacity and safety standards.
“We’ve completed the runway traffic lights. Once energized, they will direct pilots for safe landings and take-offs, especially under low visibility,” Obichukwu said, applauding Governor Francis Nwifuru’s commitment to modernizing the airport to meet international standards.
To further enhance safety, the commissioner also disclosed the deployment of a security task force, including military personnel, police, airport guards, and retired officers from Benue, Kogi, and Cross River States, to patrol the facility and prevent any form of vandalism or intrusion.
“Security at the airport has been intensified. The governor has engaged trained operatives to safeguard lives and property within the airport,” she added, warning criminals to steer clear of the premises.
In another major development, Obichukwu announced the installation of a 12,000-litre Jet A1 bowser for on-site refueling of aircraft. The refueling facility, she said, is fully operational and will remain in place under a renewable six-month arrangement.
“This refueling station ensures that aircraft with low fuel can top up immediately on-site. It’s a huge boost for our operational efficiency,” she noted.
The Chuba Okadigbo International Airport continues to gain attention as one of the fastest-developing aviation projects in Nigeria, with the state government reaffirming its resolve to make it a world-class travel and logistics hub.
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