๐โ๐๐๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐, ๐ญ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ โ ๐๐ง๐จ
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, says the Federal Governmentโs approval granting international status to the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, will significantly strengthen the stateโs economy, expand trade opportunities, and position Akwa Ibom as a major tourism hub in the Gulf of Guinea region.
Speaking shortly after the approval was announced, Eno described the upgrade as a โtransformational milestoneโ that aligns with his administrationโs economic blueprint. He noted that the airportโs new status would attract foreign investors, enhance passenger traffic, and deepen the stateโs growing aviation sector driven by Ibom Air.
According to the governor, the state is now better positioned to host international events, promote cultural exchanges, and boost hospitality businesses. He added that the upgraded airport would reduce travel stress for residents and visitors, especially those embarking on international trips that previously required routing through Lagos, Abuja, or Port Harcourt.
Eno also commended President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Aviation for โdemonstrating confidence in the stateโs infrastructure investments,โ emphasising that the international designation would fast-track ongoing projects at the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility and the new international terminal.
He assured residents that his administration would continue to improve transportation infrastructure while leveraging the airportโs new status to pursue aggressive economic growth and job creation.
The governor further appealed to hospitality operators, tourism stakeholders, and business owners in the state to prepare for increased opportunities expected from the airportโs expanded operations.
