By Tony Edike

ENUGU — There are fears that Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, may become transit route for drug traffickers as screening machines and other essential facilities that would enhance smooth operation were yet to be provided at the airport, which commenced international commercial flights on August 24.

However, the security issues raised by some concerned users of the airport, during the maiden flag-off of international flight operation, had been addressed with the deployment of all the armed forces required to maintain security at the airport.

Officials of the airport said some vital security gadgets needed for thorough screening of passengers were yet to be installed at the airport.

The frequent arrests of traffickers at other international airports in the country have been attributed to the presence of such screening machines.

Ethiopian Air

Ethiopian Airlines kick-started the international flight operation from the airport after a symbolic ceremony attended by a Federal Government delegation led by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Pius Anyim and personalities from the South-East. It has so far operated eight flights to and from the airport to different countries.

Vanguard reliably gathered that some key facilities needed for smooth operation by the airlines were still being expected.

The Traffic and Sales Manager of Ethiopian Airlines in Enugu, Mr. Theodros M’Silassie, told Vanguard that although they had maintained steady international flight operations since they arrived Enugu two weeks ago, there were some basic facilities still lacking at the airport.

Lacking, facilities

He particularly identified absence of conveyor belt as constituting a major impediment to their operations and urged the authorities to provide the necessary facilities that would enhance their service delivery.

He, however, admitted that the airport environment was conducive for their operation, saying the airline had not encountered any major problem since they began flight operations in Enugu.

The airline operates international flights to and from Akanu Ibiam Airport on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and has recorded impressive patronage since it began operation in Enugu on August 24.

Vanguard gathered that night flight operation, which was suspended at the airport since March 18, 2012, when the airport was shut for rehabilitation, resumed recently as the runway lights had been fully installed and any aircraft could land and take-off at any time.

Armed Forces on ground

Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Department of State Services, Nigeria Air Force and the Nigeria Police have deployed their officials to handle the airport security and no security breach had been recorded either from the domestic or international wing since they arrived the airport about two weeks ago.

An official of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity, said the airport had taken off fully although rehabilitation works were still in progress in some sections.

The official said: “Akanu Ibiam (Enugu) is one of the best airports in Nigeria today and I can tell you that at the end of ongoing rehabilitation, we will have the most modern facilities that you can find in any airport in the world.

“There is no cause for alarm because the Federal Government is determined to address all the challenges we have at the moment.”

When Vanguard visited the airport last Wednesday, some top officials of FAAN from Lagos were seen inspecting facilities and taking inventories of some offices that were yet to be equipped.

Enugu Airport Manager, Mr. Chuma Nwobi, could not be reached for comments as he was said to be conducting the visiting FAAN officials round the airport to inspect facilities and ongoing projects.