September 03, (THEWILL) – The Manager of Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport (SMICA), Owerri, Dr Nkechi Ihekwaba, has urged investors, airline operators and individuals, to take advantage of the fast-growing airport to invest, assuring them of business viability.
Presenting a paper on the investment potential of the airport at the recently concluded Aviation Business Summit and Expo 2024 in Lagos, Dr Ihekwaba said its active apron accommodates four B737 800 series, while the extended apron accommodates ten small-bodied aircraft at a time with category 7 Aerodrome Fire Fighting Services.
She disclosed that the first community airport in the country was able to record a minimum of 62,000 passenger movements (both arrival and departure) monthly during peak periods and a minimum of 39,000 passenger movements (both arrival and departure) during off-peak periods.
“SMICA is a viable airport and it attracts traffic. Imo State and its neighbouring communities have really benefited from the airport. Imo State is blessed with natural solid, liquid and gaseous mineral resources as well as agro-based raw materials needed for industrial processing”, she said.
According to her, the airport has the potential for passenger growth with available statistics. She remarked that the terminal building with a capacity of 1200, during peak periods, records 2,000 with the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), adding that the maintenance culture at SMICA has improved to 98 percent since she took over the running of the airport.
Ihekwaba listed airlines operating at the airport, including Air Peace Airline, United Nigeria Airline, Green African Airways and Dana Airways Airline (currently suspended for operations). While Aero Contractors are currently operating at the airport, covering Owerri-Abuja-Owerri and Owerri-Lagos-Owerri daily, the airport records over 37 aircraft movements during political movements.
She noted that in 2015, former President, Goodluck Jonathan, approved the upgrade of the airport to an international cargo airport in strict compliance with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulation requirements, which led to the construction of a cargo terminal with warehouse facilities at the airport.
“I ensure all critical facilities are maintained as of when due for seamless operation and utmost efficiency. SMICA has recorded a good security network for safe airport operations through my cordial relationship with all the security agencies, host community chiefs, youth leaders and the state government.
“I ensure that our airport is customer-friendly by encouraging teamwork, good communication and synergy with SMICA Heads of Departments, airlines and all stakeholders. This enabled the airport to record zero incidents and accidents since my resumption,” she stated.
Ihekwaba said all abandoned projects at the airport are being followed up to ensure contractors are back on site, including the airfield lighting installation project sponsored by the State Government.
“This project has been completed, a job completion report submitted to FAAN by the contractor, inspected by the NCAA team on the directives of the Governor of Imo State and awaits the NCAA further directives before it can be put to use,” Ihekwaba said.
According to the SMICA Manager, with the airport’s strategic location in Imo State, after the activation of the cargo terminal, goods and services will be supplied to nearly 50 million people in the neighbouring markets and major commercial hubs within the South-South and South-Eeast zones of the country.
She said since its inception, the airport has been recorded to be one of the fastest-growing and ever-busy domestic airports in the country and was built by the communal efforts of the people of the old Imo State, now known as Imo, Abia and Ebonyi states.
The airport won the “All Nigeria Airport Manager Business Forum Contest” at the Airport Business Summit and Expo 2024 held recently in Lagos.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
