Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, says the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu has been constantly undergoing repairs because it was badly constructed.
Earlier on Saturday, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) announced the temporary closure of the airport for emergency repairs on a section of the runway.
In a statement, Obiageli Orah, the authority’s director of public affairs and consumer protection, said there was a sudden and significant rupture in the asphalt surface at a critical section of the runway.
The repairs are expected to run for two weeks (April 22 to May 6).
Speaking on the development in an X post, Keyamo said the closure became necessary due to the deteriorating condition of the runway, which now poses a serious safety risk to air travellers.
He said although the runway was shut down for a year in August 2019 for total rehabilitation and the contract was awarded to a contractor, the problem is yet to abate.
“Unfortunately, when we came to office, we discovered that waterlogged part of the runway was not properly constructed to take care of the problem, leading to constant cracks and potholes on the runway. These obviously put the lives of the travelling public at great risk,” the minister said.
“We have been carrying out constant palliative works on it, but the problem has not abated and the cracks on the runway are becoming craters.
“I personally visited the airport some months after assuming office and expressed my total displeasure with the work done by the contractor.”
With the latest shutdown, Keyamo said all scheduled flights to Enugu would be diverted to other neighbouring airports during the closure period.
The minister assured that the ministry would work tirelessly to meet the deadline and reduce the inconvenience the closure may cause to travellers.
