Ndigbo are my strongest supporters –Jonathan

[SunNews]

From PETRUS OBI and JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE, Enugu

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in Enugu declared that the people of the South-East zone have been his strongest supporters since his foray into national politics.

The president, who made the declaration at the commissioning of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport domestic terminal and the flag-off of the international terminal, also announced that the Ethiopian Airline would from next month begin flights from the airport, that is to be managed by the private sector.

Jonathan who spoke during an interaction with leaders of the zone in a town hall organized at the Enugu Government House, said that the South-East people were truly his brothers and sisters.

His words: "Sincerely, I thank my brothers and sisters from the South-East for the sincere support you have given to me since I indicated interest in national politics.

"I started as a vice president and until today, I have had the strongest support from the South-East. I have to thank you for that and I remain grateful and I want to tell you that I am part and parcel of you and I will continue to remain so even after serving Nigeria.

"All of us know the purpose of government is to make sure we create an enabling environment, but we must ensure peace and the infrastructure for basic growth in the country and we are totally committed to doing that. Within these two years, we have identified some few areas and we are working hard in those areas. We are doing well in those areas and we shall continue to do well in those areas and surely this country will change.

"What I request from all Nigerians is peace; we cannot do anything when we don't have the peace. With peace, of course, there will be economic development; with peace there will be employment, wealth creation and development. But without peace, we cannot get to where we want to go, and for that reason, government must make sure that all parts of this country enjoy peace; and we are pleading with our people against religious conflict. The concept of Boko Haram is not Islam; so it's a pseudo religious conflict with killings in some parts of the North and excessive robbery and kidnapping in parts of the South-East and South-South.

"Government is pleading that we must talk to our boys, our brothers and friends that they must make sure that we live in peace in this country; and government must plead for people to live in peace, but if they still feel they must continue to cause crisis in any part of the country, government will enforce law and order."

Earlier, President Jonathan pointed out that the airport which was re-opened on December 17, after expansion and rehabilitation, would be a source of relief to millions of entrepreneurs in the region as they would no longer make connecting trips to Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja or Kano for foreign business travels.

Jonathan noted that Enugu's uniqueness as gateway to the South-East and home of entrepreneurship of the country justified the upgrade of the airport to international status.

"The national airport modernization programme covers all 22 airports under the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria and projects under this programme are expected to be completed within three years. For this, our target is to make sure that they are functional on or before 2014.

"All airports under the programme will be expanded and their facilities upgraded according to international standard. In this regard, the former general terminal at the Lagos International Airport was rebuilt and commissioned in October last year. The Benin Airport, the general terminal International Airport Abuja, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport were all commissioned in quick sessions early this year while the Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri and the Terminal of Yola Airport have been scheduled for commissioning," he said.

He noted that the first step to consolidating the business advantages in the transformation of the Akanu Ibiam Airport was the complete resurfacing and extension of the runway, saying that "today the runway is just not the newest in the country; it can now accommodate larger aircraft more suitable for goods and travellers."

Jonathan said that with the runway expanded, they embarked on the second step of the transformation which was its official designation as an international airport.

"As you can see the third step phase in this ongoing effort is the provision of capacity and comfort for air travellers through the remodelling of the domestic wing of the airport. The obsolete terminal is now being transformed into a modern, safe, secured and comfortable terminal offering travellers a more dignified and respectful experience and boosting commercial and tourist attraction.

"I'm pleased to note that as one of the 13 designated as perishable cargo centers across the country, a well equipped perishable cargo terminal will be built in this airport. When constructed, the facility will accelerate the quick processing and evacuation of perishable agricultural products directly from the farms to consumers in Europe and elsewhere in the world," he said.

The president said that,"by 2015, with the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu hosting a brand new runway, a newly re-modelled domestic terminal and also international terminal, the South-East region of Nigeria will be saying to the world 'we are open for business.'"

Speaking, the host, Governor Sullivan Chime, told the president that his visit and audience with the people was a huge mark of honour only to the people of Enugu state, but also the entire Igbo land.

He thanked Jonathan for his "rare gesture of love for your people, especially taking into cognizance our people's entrepreneurial spirit" as he performed performed the historic laying of the foundation stone of an ultra-modern international wing of the Akanu Ibiam airport.

However, like Oliver Twist, Chime pleaded with the president to oblige them with the Enugu Free Trade zone.

His words: "We cannot thank you enough for these and other favours which we have continued to receive from your government. Therefore, we do not intend to confront you with another shopping list. However, there is one request at the heart of the government and people of Enugu State. It is the proposed Enugu Free Trade Zone ((EFTZ-ENPOWER) located at the Ninth Mile industrial area on the outskirts of Enugu and which extends to this airport. Sir, we solicit your kind and expedited approval of the operating license for the Free Trade Zone that is a public-private sector-driven initiative of the Enugu State government.

"It is common knowledge that of the 25 Free Trade Zones presently operating in Nigeria, the South-East remains the only geo-political zone without one. Therefore, with your kind approval, Mr President, posterity will credit you, once more, with giving Ndigbo their first and only Free Trade Zone, thereby redressing the imbalance and engendering equity, justice and fairness."

The political leaders from the South-East through Governor Peter Obi also threw their weight behind President Jonathan over the recent declaration of a state of emergency in three states of the North.

"That we support you in the state of emergency or whatever you can do for stability and peace of this country, what will help attract and change the economy of this country we are with you. You can see how we the Igbo believe in Nigeria," Obi said.

Also speaking, the Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu said: "Mr. President we like to express our support with the state of emergency you declared in some parts of this country. Somebody may say why are we interested in state of emergency in some parts; our people are disturbed by what is going on in the North; our businesses have been destroyed; and our sons and daughters have been killed. We want to go back to business in those places; but we need to make sure that those places are secured.

"If there is need to declare state of emergency in more state you have our support to do so."

The Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, said that the new terminal was a brand new international airport and of the same size as the Lagos International Airport

She said the cost of the project was N13.3 billion and would be completed in 15 months, before the end of 2015.

She said that the country currently has 13 perishable terminals, adding that, "what you will have at completion is an airport city. We have begun the transformation of the airport cities called aerometropolis.

"The industry must begin to play a major role in our economy and become a major platform for employment," she said.

 

Via: Sun News Online