The Sorry State of The Chinue Achebe Airport, Umueri. A Tale of Bad Leadership

The dreams of the Former Governor of Anambra state Chief Willie Obiano while building the Chinua Achebe Airport, Umueri are gradually crashing before our very eyes. Ndi Anambra are known travellers, Ndi Anambra travel more than any ethnic group in Nigeria, for this reason Ndi Anambra should have the luxury of connecting the world from our great state. The former governor wanted to make Anambra state a hub for Aviation in the East, right now it looks like a mirage.

The then Governor brought on board Mr. Martins Nwafor a retired Aviation personnel with the hope of harnessing his wealth of experience to move the Anambra airport to a higher level. Unfortunately, that has not been the case, the airport has unfortunately continued to loose its glory and appeal.  It is a testament to very poor leadership by the MD/CEO in the person of Mr. Martins Nwafor.

At Inception of flight operations at the airport, we had daily flights from Airpeace airline and United Nigeria, this is no longer the case now. Airpeace only comes to the airport 3 times a week, unlike what is obtainable in Asaba, where these airlines operate atleast 2 – 4 flights everyday, even at cheaper prices.

At the inauguration ceremony of the Chinua Achebe airport, the Airpeace CEO Chief Allen Onyeama, promised to build an MRO maintenance hanger at the airport, that has not happened, rather Onyeama has rather moved the construction of Airpeace MRO to Lagos, construction has started. This is because the leadership at the Anambra airport Umueri has not done enough to encourage investors to invest in the airport.

In the space of close to 4 years of operation, there has been no additional airline attracted to the airport, because the management doesn’t have the credibility to run a profitable airport that will attract potential new airlines.

The Anambra airport is named a Cargo airport, Yet not even a kilogram of cargo parcel has landed at the airport, is it a problem of incompetence on the path of the  management or is the state government no longer interested in making the airport an airport of choice amongst travellers.

The MD/CEO Mr. Martins Nwafor recently lost credibility by accepting to be the Chairman of the committee setup by the state government to plan for the construction of a new airport in Ndikeleonwu in Orumba, Why accept such an offer when you are aware that you have not been able to explore the full potential of the airport you are already managing. Ndi anambra deserve better.

Mr. Martins Nwafor is a tyrant at the airport, nobody advises him, He takes  decision alone and victimizes whoever dares to ask questions with suspension and outright sack in some cases. Airport staff work in an atmosphere filled with fear.

By: A Concerned Airport Official