Enugu, a state in Nigeria, is set to take flight with an exciting plan revealed by Governor Peter Mbah. The state is tearing up to launch “Enugu Air,” an airline with a dual focus on both cargo and passenger services, promising to transform regional transportation.
Governor Mbah shared this ambitious vision during a meeting with the Aviacargo roadmap committee. Enugu Air aspires to be a dynamic, multi-modal transportation system, catering to passengers and cargo alike.
The project also includes the creation of a cutting-edge warehouse at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, thanks to a collaboration with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
What’s truly captivating is the governor’s determination to make this airline a reality within 15 months, aiming for certification by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
But that’s not all; Enugu has a grand plan to supercharge its agro-export sector. The governor’s administration intends to allocate farmlands in each senatorial zone, cultivating cash crops for export. The goal? To significantly boost the state’s revenue, generate jobs, and build the infrastructure needed to become a thriving exporter of various agricultural products.
This initiative aligns with a larger vision: to increase the state’s earnings from $4 billion to an impressive $30 billion within the next four to eight years.
The Ministry of Agriculture has been elevated to the Agro and Allied Ministry, emphasizing the commitment to promote agriculture and raising its contribution to the state’s GDP to about 40 per cent.
With plans to establish 300,000 hectares of farmland, construct a common export facility with quality assurance and standardization procedures, and invest in a cargo terminal, cold chain facilities, and warehouses, Enugu is opened to make a significant impact on the agricultural and aviation sectors.
Ikechi Uko, the coordinator of the Aviacargo roadmap committee, emphasized the urgent need to boost cargo volume, especially in the export of agricultural products, to enhance foreign exchange earnings and create jobs.
The current challenge of cargo planes returning empty from Nigeria’s airports despite substantial investments highlights the importance of Enugu’s comprehensive strategy. This is a dynamic and transformative plan that has the potential to reshape the future of Enugu’s economy and transportation landscape.
