Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has commended the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Ibom Airport Development Company (IADC) for restoring night flight operations at Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo.
The airport had operated under sunrise-to-sunset restrictions following the breakdown of its airfield lighting system. Governor Eno had issued a directive to the airport’s management earlier in September, setting a September 30 deadline for the restoration of the system.
In a statement on Wednesday, the governor said the repair and calibration of the lighting and navigational aids had now been completed, allowing airlines to operate flights in and out of Uyo after dark. He praised IADC Managing Director, Uwem Ekanem, staff and board members for meeting the deadline.
The governor also thanked NAMA for its role in the project, adding that the state government would continue to support the airport’s growth, including funding the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, the international terminal, and other aviation projects.
Eno said the development was particularly important as the state prepared for the Christmas season and the planned December commissioning of the Arise Resorts. He said night operations at the airport would enhance the operations of Ibom Air and boost the state’s tourism ambitions under the Arise Agenda.
“Akwa Ibom is being primed as the tourism haven of our nation and a future with or without oil,” the statement said.
