BY: Ikenna Oluka
Following the recent fire incident at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Engr. Saleh Dunoma, Thursday paid a visit to the airport.
This visit was the second of such from the management of the Authority in two days, as the Director of Engineering Services of the Authority, Engr Salisu Daura had earlier led a team of Management staff to the airport on the 10th April, 2019.
On arrival, the Managing Director who went straight to the scene of the incident to see for himself the extent of damage caused by the fire, was joined by the Authority’s Directors of Engineering Services, Human Resources & Administration, Commercial & Business Development, General Managers, Civil & Building, Safety as well as the Airport Manager and her team.
Expressing his delight that there was no casualty in the incident, Engr Dunoma noted that Zenith Insurance has conducted the evaluation of the damage and has agreed to pay the claims in full.
He added that the Authority will do all within its powers to ensure that the airport is renovated as soon as possible, so as to ameliorate the inconveniences the incident may cause airport users.
Engr Dunoma, who used the opportunity to appreciate the incumbent Governor of the State, His Excellency, Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha and the Governor Elect, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha for their support and timely intervention during the incident, also thanked the Air Force commandant, the Divisional Police Officer, Owerri airport command and their team for the role they played during the incident.
Stating that a committee has already been constituted to inquire into the remote cause of the incident, the MD advised the Airport Management to continue to engage the host communities and other stakeholders collaboratively in the interest of all.