The Senate on Thursday urged the Federal Government not to downgrade the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
The lawmakers also urged the Federal Government to rehabilitate the runway of the airport for the safety of passengers and aircraft. They asked the government to take steps to complete the new terminal building of the airport and put it to use by local and foreign airlines.
Former Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, hinted penultimate week that the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu would be downgraded due to imminent dangers. But adopting a motion by Senator Victor Umeh (APGA, Anambra) and 14 others, the Senators urged the Federal Ministry of Transportation and relevant agencies to develop a source of water with the nearby Ekulu River for the use of the airport.
They appreciated the Enugu State Government for swiftly demolishing and ordering the relocation of Orie Emene Market, shutting down the nearby abattoir and ordering the immediate removal of the broadcasting mast and other illegal structures close to the airport.
They equally called on the government to return the generating sets taken away from the airport to Port Harcourt, by the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.