By Emma Arubi

ASABA—AS the Delta State Government prepares to host the next South-south Economic Summit billed for April 26 to 28 in Asaba, the government has approved the contract for the demolition of hills around the Asaba Airport to allow for bigger aircraft to land.

The demolition of the hills became necessary so that “special and bigger” aircraft can start landing before the commencement of the South-south Economic Summit.

Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Kenneth Okpara, who briefed journalists on the outcome of the state Executive Council meeting, said the contract was initially awarded to one firm at N7.4 billion.

He explained that though the contract amount was not reviewed, it had been awarded to three different contracting firms including ULO Consultants, Levante Construction Limited and CCC Construction Nigeria Limited.

Okpara said: “The President is coming to the summit and we want him to land here in Asaba and not in Benin. We have just ten days to put the airport in proper shape because that is one of the conditions given by Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, for bigger aircraft to land.”

He assured that the new arrangement was “a matter of government being proactive to ensure that things move on properly,” noting that the new arrangement on the contract award would not have additional cost implication on the total cost of the airport construction.