Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has said the attainment of international status by the Victor Attah International Airport, VAIA, will not only benefit Akwa Ibom State, but Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea region.

In a world pess briefing upon his return from the maiden international flight to the airport from Accra, Ghana, the Governor said the feat will help to stimulate other sectors of the economy.

“We cannot succeed in tourism if we don’t have a functional airport whether internationally or locally. Now, we have gone international, and through Akwa Ibom, we can travel to other countries in the sub region without having to go out of Nigeria to overfly Nigeria to get to countries in the sub-region as obtained before. That is one of the things the international flight has stopped immediately.

“Akwa Ibom will become another Kigali, with the international conference centre that is the best in the country yet; people will begin to have international conferences in Uyo,” he added.

He expressed hope that the benefit for the Gulf of Guinea will be enormous, adding that the State was also planing to add the Cargo Terminal, a trading route, that will also enhance the capacity.

Governor Eno announced the creation of a Ministry of Aviation and Airport Development, and also appointed the Managing Director of the Ibom Airport Development Company Limited, Engr Uwem Ekanem to oversee the affairs of the ministry, pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner.

He appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting approval for the airport’s designation as an international facility, and also commended the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, for his dedication and strategic support, particularly in coordinating aviation stakeholders and ensuring regulatory compliance leading to the successful take-off of international operations.

Tracing the evolution of the airport, Governor Eno paid glowing tribute to past leaders, Obong Victor Attah, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Mr Udom Emmanuel for their respective contributions to the current status of the airport.

He described leadership as a relay race, with successive administrations building on each other’s efforts to achieve the milestone.

The Governor further announced that Ibom Air is set to expand its fleet to ten aircraft with the expected arrival of an additional Airbus in June, and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to training indigenous pilots, engineers, and personnel to meet the airport’s specific demands.

He said so far, the State has sponsored the training of 20 pilots in Paris, including the co-pilot who manned the return flight from Accra, 20 engineers currently working in the airport, with another 10 cadet pilots in training in Ethiopia, as well as three pilots and one engineer in the Aviation school in Zaria.

The Governor said beyond pilots and engineers, the State was going to train others in airport handling, facility management for cleaning of the airport, and general maintenance.

Governor Eno revealed that no fewer than ten critical projects are being constructed and completed within the aviation ecosystem, including a second runway, apron expansion, aviation village, perimeter fencing, hospital, and modern security surveillance systems.

He clarified that the maiden international flight was not merely ceremonial but a validation and activation of the airport’s international certification, adding that scheduled international operations will commence after completion of necessary regulatory procedures.

For sustainability of Ibom Air, Governor Eno said the State was planning on diversification, adding that in the nearest possible future, Ibom Air will be listed in the Stock Exchange Market for privatisation.

He noted that in few years, when all the dots are connected, with the international conference center, ARISE Palm Resort, the Mary Slessor House, the Lord Lugard Amalgamation House, the Bridge of no return, the International Market and others comes alive, the State will be fully ready to receive the world.

Governor Eno expressed appreciation to stakeholders in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, as well as the broader aviation community, noting that the milestone represents a shared accomplishment and a significant turning point in the state’s history.