Chief Press Secretary to Governor Umo Eno, Mr Ekerete Udoh, has said the Victor Attah International Airport (VAIA) is central to efforts to reduce Akwa Ibom State’s dependence on oil revenue by expanding opportunities in tourism, aviation and other businesses.
Udoh, who spoke during the Ministerial Media Briefing in Uyo, urged journalists to examine the wider economic implications of the state government’s investment in airport infrastructure, particularly its potential to attract businesses, create jobs and stimulate tourism.
Drawing comparisons with Dubai, New York, Chicago and Atlanta, he argued that airports could shape the economic fortunes of cities by facilitating business activities, improving connectivity and attracting visitors.
“What would New York be without JFK Airport? What would Chicago be without O’Hare? What would Atlanta, Georgia, be without Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport?” he asked, stressing the importance of aviation infrastructure to economic development.
The CPS said the investments in VAIA reflected Governor Eno’s strategy to position Akwa Ibom for economic opportunities beyond crude oil, especially as economies increasingly consider alternatives to dependence on fossil fuels.
He also cited Caribbean countries that earn substantial revenue from tourism despite their relatively small size, noting that Akwa Ibom could explore similar opportunities by developing its tourism potential.
The airport project features a Smart International Terminal, an international airport hospital, an international terminal access road and apron, as well as a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility.
Other infrastructure includes an Aviation Village, parallel taxiway with rapid-exit facilities, apron extension, airfield lighting systems, a high-security operational fence and advanced security and surveillance systems.
According to Udoh, the facilities could support the growth of aircraft maintenance, cargo handling, aviation training, logistics and other ancillary services, creating opportunities for businesses and employment.
He called on journalists to highlight these potential benefits and deepen public understanding of how aviation infrastructure could contribute to economic diversification and tourism development in the state.
The Ministerial Media Briefing is part of the Akwa Ibom State Government’s transparency and accountability programme, providing commissioners and heads of ministries, departments and agencies with a platform to report on the implementation of the ARISE Agenda as its first phase gradually winds down.
