May 04, (THEWILL) — Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has announced the creation of a full-fledged Ministry of Aviation and Airport Development, in a decisive move to consolidate the state’s entry into international air travel and position it as a regional aviation hub.
The announcement came on Sunday, as the Governor arrived at the Victor Attah International Airport from Accra, Ghana, aboard what he described as a landmark international flight validating the airport’s newly attained global status.
The newly established Ministry is tasked with formulating and implementing policies, strategies, and programmes to drive aviation development, while also overseeing operations at the airport to ensure optimal utilisation of its international designation.
Governor Eno immediately directed the Managing Director of the Ibom Airport Development Company, Engr. Uwem Ekanem, to take charge of the Ministry in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner.
Framing the development as a turning point for the state, the Governor said the Ministry would spearhead efforts to boost patronage of the airport and build a “robust aviation ecosystem” capable of transforming Akwa Ibom into a key aviation destination in Nigeria and beyond.
“Today, after all the hard work, we have returned on an international flight from Accra, landing in Uyo for the first time in the history of this airport. The prefix ‘international’ has finally been validated”, Eno declared.
He added that significant investment had gone into upgrading the terminal, describing it as “a true marvel” that citizens should take pride in.
“The creation of the aviation ministry signals a strategic push by the Akwa Ibom government to leverage air connectivity for tourism, investment, and broader economic growth”, he stated.
The development has drawn commendation from prominent stakeholders, including the Oku Ibom Ibibio, Ntenyin Solomon Daniel Etuk, Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, and Senator Ekong Sampson, all of whom hailed the Governor’s initiative as a major stride in the state’s economic and infrastructural advancement.
