Ebonyi State government led by Governor Francis Nwifuru has commenced the upgrade of the Chuba Okadigbo Airport runway to international standard.

The State Commissioner for Aviation and Technology, Mrs Ngozi Obichukwu said that expatriates had been contracted to upgrade the Airport runway.

Obichukwu said the upgrade of the runway, from concrete to standard asphalting, is to enhance the operation of foreign airlines and other flights movements at the airport.

The Aviation Commissioner, who assured foreign airlines and travellers of adequate protection and safe landing at the Airport said: “The runway is of concrete, instead of asphalt. And that’s why the Governor Francis Nwifuru quickly dispatched experts that are knowledgeable in the construction of runways to see how the runway can be upgraded to international standard.

“The expatriates are here and as you can see, they are working tirelessly to ensure that the runway meets international standard. The United Nigeria Airways landed here and requested that the concrete be upgraded to standard asphalting.

“Governor Francis Nwifuru has opened discussion with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, CCECC and CDC construction companies to ensure that the runway is constructed to international standard.

She added that: “Chuba Okadigbo Airport is a threat to other airports in the South-East region, and needs to be upgraded.”