Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, recently inaugurated the groundbreaking Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility, as well as a state-of-the-art international Terminal Building at the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
This remarkable MRO facility, designed to accommodate the simultaneous maintenance of two Boeing 747 aircraft, marks a significant milestone as the first of its kind implemented by any sub-national entity in Africa.
During the commissioning ceremony held at the Victor Attah International Airport, Saraki emphasized the need for essential support and timely approvals from the federal government to ensure the efficient functioning of these facilities.
He also praised Governor Udom Emmanuel for his visionary leadership in expanding the airport’s development and introducing innovative initiatives that position Akwa Ibom, and by extension Nigeria, as the premier hub for aircraft maintenance in Africa.
Addressing the esteemed guests, Governor Udom Emmanuel, who is nearing the end of his tenure, outlined a series of projects scheduled for inauguration at the airport. These projects include the International Smart Terminal Building, the Maintenance, Repairs, and Overhaul hangar, and a new Taxiway that will serve as a secondary runway. Governor Emmanuel affirmed that these endeavors, except for the MRO facility, were conceived and executed under his administration’s comprehensive aviation development strategy.
Governor Emmanuel expressed his determination to transform Akwa Ibom into a major aviation hub in the Gulf of Guinea, thanking God for the progress made. He attributed the success to the administration’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the aviation sector.
Obong Victor Attah, the former Governor of Akwa Ibom and the initiator of the MRO facility project, commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for his groundbreaking achievements in the aviation sector. Attah lauded the introduction of 21st-century facilities, stating that they would further distinguish Akwa Ibom as a global aviation destination and generate foreign earnings for the state.
Drawing attention to the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul facility, Attah emphasized its significance as the first aircraft maintenance facility of its kind conceptualized in Africa. The MRO’s capacity to service two Boeing 747 aircraft simultaneously positions Akwa Ibom to attract increased air traffic and bolster the aviation industry within the state.
The inauguration of Africa’s first sub-national aircraft maintenance facility, along with the remarkable international Terminal Building, sets Akwa Ibom on a trajectory of aviation excellence, solidifying its position as a prominent player in the industry.
