Committee On Special Projects Tours Victor Attah International Airport
As Ibom Air Resumes Flight
In its avowed commitment to join hands with relevant government agencies in ensuring that Akwa Ibom people are safe from the lingering COVID-19 pandemic, the House Committee on Special Project/Monitoring, Implementation and Aviation Development has embarked on a working tour to the Victor Attah International Airport to assess the level of readiness by the management of air transport to resume flight with the latest guidelines released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
The chairman of the committee, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko, who led other members of the committee to the airport, on arrival was received by the managing director of the company, Mr. Uwem Ekanem, who took the lawmakers round the facilities from reception to departure, security checks, baggage screening points as well as the automated temperature checks.
Addressing the lawmakers, the MD described the visit as apt since it coincided with the resumption of flights after many months of halt due to the ravaging global pandemic.
“This visit, for me, Mr. Chairman and your members is very apt since it coincides with the resumption of flight after many months of lockdown.
“We have been given the nod to commence flight having met the guidelines of the NCDC.
“As we begin, we assure you of clean cargo, clean aircraft, disciplined passengers, social distance marking of not less than 1.5m”, he assured.
Speaking after the facility tour, a member of the committee, Hon. Asuquo Nana Udo, member for Ikono State Constituency, thanked the MD, Ekanem, for living up to his billing which for him is an interpretation of the governor’s dreams and visions.
For Usoro Akpanusoh, the member for Esit Eket/Ibeno, he commended the chairman of the committee, Elder Aniekan Uko, for championing the visit, describing it as a true demonstration of the House of Assembly’s partnership with the Akwa Ibom State governor.
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While the two-term member assured the air transport company of the resolve of the 7th Assembly to make laws that will give them an enabling environment to thrive, he equally requested for more check-out stands to be provided to herald speedy services.
Hon. Barr. Esseh Umoh, member for Essien Udim State Constituency, gave thumps up for the Ibom Air management, but urged that the COVID-19 protocols be sustained while Hon Otobong Bob drew the attention of the MD to more landing cards to speed up the process.
Responding, the chairman of the committee and member for Ibesikpo Asutan State Constituency, Elder Uko, maintained that the committee in addition to adhering to their core mandate of oversight dimmed it fit to come and witness the resumption of flight amidst the pandemic and to ensure Akwa Ibom people were safe.
The lawmaker expressed satisfaction on the level of adherence to NCDC guidelines, describing it as a plus to the company.
“The protocol has changed and we must as a matter of travelling safe and neat embrace the new normal. With this development in place, I can boldly say that Akwa Ibom people are safe, which is one of the cardinal reasons for our being here today.
“We, as a committee commend the airport management and staff for the commitment in delivering in the best interest of all of us while specially thanking His Excellency for giving Akwa Ibom State a standard in the comity of states in this pandemic period,” he affirmed.
The former speaker charged all Akwa Ibomites to embrace the new “Mkpo Ama Change” philosophy and to adhere to the COVID-19 protocol which for him does not hurt but saves.
The managing director, Mr Ekanem, in his vote of thanks appreciated the chairman and the members of the committee for their words of encouragement which he said are a tonic for them to do more.
“This is a new normal, nobody prepared for it but we will by the grace of God sustain it for a better Akwa Ibom and for the safety of our esteemed customers”.
While assuring the erudite lawmakers that all observations and comments raised would be taken into great consideration, the company boss beckoned on the legislators to help spread the message that ‘mkpo ama change ke Ibom Air’.
