The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Friday commissioned the newly reconstructed Port Harcourt Airport Road and officially flagged off the construction of the Airport Bypass and Toll Gate Project in Rivers State, marking a significant milestone in the state’s infrastructure and aviation development drive.
The twin events took place in Port Harcourt following a special invitation by the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, with the Minister attending as the Special Guest of Honour.
The ceremony drew government officials, community leaders and stakeholders from the aviation and transport sectors, who gathered to witness what was described as a transformative intervention for the state.
In his remarks, Governor Fubara provided insight into the motivation behind the Airport Road reconstruction and the bypass project. He recalled an earlier incident in which members of the host community protested and completely blocked access to the airport road, leading to the shutdown of commercial flight operations for an entire day.
According to the governor, the protest was driven by demands for employment opportunities, electricity supply and improved welfare, with the community lamenting years of perceived marginalisation despite hosting such a critical national asset.
Governor Fubara explained that the community presented three key demands to his administration, two of which have already been fulfilled.
He said a health centre has been constructed and is now fully operational, while electricity supply has been restored to the area. He added that the newly flagged-off Airport Bypass and Toll Gate Project, which will provide an alternative access route to the airport, is part of the administration’s response to the third demand and is scheduled for completion within seven months.
On the issue of employment, the governor noted that while it does not fall directly within the powers of the state government, discussions are ongoing and the matter remains under active consideration to ensure the concerns of the host community are adequately addressed.
In his address, Keyamo commended Governor Fubara for demonstrating responsive and people-centred leadership by tackling community concerns while simultaneously supporting the growth of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
He described the reconstructed Airport Road as a “transformational intervention” that restores dignity to one of the most important gateways into Rivers State.
The Minister noted that the previous condition of the road had, for years, been an embarrassment to travellers, airlines and investors arriving through the Port Harcourt International Airport.
He praised the governor for taking decisive action to rehabilitate the route, stressing that such strategic infrastructure projects align with and reinforce the Federal Government’s aviation development agenda.
Keyamo further reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with Rivers State and other sub-national governments to deliver modern, safe and accessible airport infrastructure across the country.
The commissioning of the Port Harcourt Airport Road and the flag-off of the Airport Bypass and Toll Gate Project underscore Governor Fubara’s resolve to deliver inclusive, people-focused governance, while consolidating Rivers State’s position as a key contributor to Nigeria’s aviation sector and broader economic growth.
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