Gladys Nweke
The senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Andrew Uchendu, OON, has tasked the contractor handling the remodelling of the domestic terminal of the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, to work towards a November completion date, saying it is imperative for the pace of work to be accelerated.
Senator Uchendu made the call in Port Harcourt when he undertook an inspection tour of ongoing projects and state of facilities at the airport.
In a statement made available to journalists in Port Harcourt by Solomon Okocha, Media Aide to Senator Uchendu, the senator said he was impressed with the level of construction work at the international wing of the airport and commended the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and his team for a job well done.
He said: “I am impressed by the level of construction work at the new Port Harcourt International Airport terminal, and I must give kudos to the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and his team for a job well done.”
He, however, frowned at the slow pace of work at the domestic wing.
“However, I am not impressed with the slow pace of the contractor handling the remodelling of the domestic terminal of the airport, hence I am demanding for acceleration of work.
” The reconstruction of the local wing of the airport was awarded when I was a member of the House of Representatives, and it is unfortunate that since then, the project has still not been completed.
” As the senator representing the area where this airport is domiciled, I am concerned, and that is why I came here today to assess things myself.
” Nigerians and Rivers people are not happy with the progress of work being done here and I think it is in the interest of everybody to ensure that this work is completed and very soon too” he said.
Uchendu also volunteered to intervene, where necessary, to ensure that the job was expedited and completion target achieved soon.
“As the Senator representing this Senatorial District, I will try and reach out to the authorities in charge to find out what the problems are. If it is a problem of funding or a budget-related issue, then there are certain things that some of us can do, so that by October or November, the local wing can be completed.
“If the problem is from the contractor, then I will report him to the Minister of Transportation and his team, so that they can take any necessary action that will accelerate the pace of work. All we want is progress”
The Senator also condemned what he described as a very poor record of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, in terms of employment of natives of the host communities.
“I am not satisfied with what has been done to the host communities in terms of employment. If since 1975, Omagwa and Ipo communities can boast of only one senior staff in the employ of the airport, then it is indeed a very poor record, and we must change the narrative.
“We must see to it that improvements are made. My people must be represented at all levels. The Federal Government policy on catchment area must be complied with fully”, he stressed.
The federal lawmaker stated that as part of its corporate social responsibility, the management of Port Harcourt International Airport should provide town halls and markets for the host communities, as well as power supply by connecting them to the national grid.
