Anambra Bars Journalists from Visiting Airport Project Site

Anambra State Government last Tuesday barred journalists from visiting the site of the proposed cargo airport project in Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area. The journalists, who were on an independent investigation to find out the level of work at the site, were stopped by youths who insisted that they had the order of the state Commissioner for Works, Marcel Efejiofor, not to let journalists into the site. The state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, had flagged off the $2.2billion Umueri Cargo Airport project in April 2017, with a promise to complete the project in 18 months. He had added that the project was being undertaken by a Chinese Company, Sinoking International on a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) agreement, with the state donating land as its only contribution to the project. The project remained undone, while its delay was blamed on seizure of a drone meant for aerial surveillance by the federal government. Obiano, however, budgeted N6billion for the project in the 2020 budget, saying the state would recover its N6billion once the Chinese company returns to site. He also promised to finish the project in 18 months. Eight months to the 18months deadline, it is not certain how much work has been achieved. Attempt to visit the project was vehemently rejected by the state works commissioner, who instead, opted to speak to THISDAY in his office in Awka, even though he was at the site. "I don't know what you want to be told about the project. Go and quote me, just say work has not started. I am not ready to talk further on the project, so you can say that I said no comment. "If you have other things to know about the state of roads in Anambra State, I will be ready to speak to you, but I am not willing to talk about the airport," he said.