The Easter deadline initially slated for the completion of the ongoing reconstruction work at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu will no longer be feasible as the minister of aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika has ordered suspension of work at the site.
The minister who was on inspection tour of the facility, in company of the managing director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt. Rabiu Yadudu explained that the suspension became necessary after the PW workers complained that they could not continue to discharge their duties comfortably in the face of the coronavirus pandemic thereby exposing themselves to the disease.
The minister said the job which he put at over 93% completion will resume when the war against the pandemic is won.
“The work would have been completed in a few weeks’ time, but the workers left to be with their families in view of the social distancing protocol.
“But considering that the construction workers have downed tools owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government hereby officially announces suspension of procurement.”
He added that the remaining work at the airport would only take about two weeks to be completed when the workers return to site.
Sirika said the federal government determined to complete the rehabilitation of the airport to international standard before Easter.
The minister further said though the federal government had closed Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, alongside others, as one of the proactive measures to contain the spread of the deadly disease, such necessary decision could not have affected work at the airport if the construction workers had not downed tools.
