Tinubu Recommended Abia Airport Project Because of His Love for Otti – Keyamo

Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu recommended the construction of an airport in Abia State out of his fondness for Governor Alex Otti and a commitment to develop the South-East region.

Keyamo made the statement on Tuesday during the flag-off ceremony of the Abia International Airport in the Nsulu area of the state.

The minister noted that Tinubu raised concerns about the absence of an airport in Abia, especially as the state remains the only one in the South-East without an airstrip. According to Keyamo, the president insisted that every part of the country deserves fair development.

“It was shortly after we took office, and I was briefing the president about the aviation sector that the president asked me why Abia does not have at least an airstrip,” Keyamo said. “He told me he doesn’t want any part of this country to be cheated, and in the South-East, it is only in Abia State that you cannot land an aircraft. He said we should make sure in the 2024 budget we give Abia an airstrip.”

Keyamo added that Tinubu’s recommendation was not only driven by fairness but also by his admiration for Governor Otti.

“The president’s motivation was also the fact that, whether you like it or not, he loves the governor of this state. He loves his spirits,” Keyamo stated. “I know comments he has made about the governor of this state and how much his people here love him so much.”

The minister also praised Governor Otti for his collaborative approach to the project, noting that the governor proposed upgrading the planned airstrip to a full-fledged international airport through counterpart funding.

“When I called Dr. Alex Otti and broke the news to him about an airstrip, he said no. I will partner with you; I will also put in counterpart funding and let us upgrade it to an international airport,” Keyamo revealed.

Keyamo emphasised that Abia, being the heart of industrialisation in the South-East, deserves such infrastructure. He also noted that the airport will not only serve passenger traffic but will also be developed into a cargo hub to bolster the region’s economy.