BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The 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 Bypass to the Airport and Toll Gate Project, following a special invitation by the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara.
Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser On Media and Communications to Keyamo said he graced the occasion in the capacity of Special Guest of Honour, joining the government and people of Rivers State to celebrate another milestone in infrastructural advancement and support for aviation development.
In his remarks during the ceremony, Governor Fubara gave a touching background to what inspired the road and bypass project.
He recalled a previous incident in which members of the host community staged a protest that completely blocked access to the airport road, crippling commercial operations for an entire day.
The protesters, he said, demanded employment opportunities, electricity and improved welfare, expressing concerns over longstanding marginalization despite hosting such critical national infrastructure.
Governor Fubara further explained that the community had tabled three key demands, two of which his administration has already delivered: a Health Centre – now completed and fully functional, electricity which he explained has been completed coupled with a new Access Road – the Bypass and Toll Gate project being flagged off, with a firm completion timeline of seven months.
The governor explained further that the third demand, which is employment; though, not within his capacity, he opined that it is under review, and will also receive due government attention.
The Minister, in his address, commended Governor Fubara’s commitment to addressing the needs of his people while simultaneously supporting Nigeria’s aviation sector.
He described the newly commissioned Airport Road as a transformational intervention that brings renewed dignity to the gateway into Rivers State.
According to him, the former state of the road had long been “an embarrassment” to travellers, airlines, and investors arriving through the Port Harcourt International Airport.
He applauded Governor Fubara for taking decisive action to rehabilitate the route, noting that such strategic projects directly complement the Federal Government’s aviation development agenda.
The Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s readiness to deepen collaboration with Rivers State and other sub-national governments to ensure modern, safe, and accessible airport infrastructure across the country.
The commissioning of the Airport Road and the flag-off of the Toll Gate and Bypass Project mark another strong statement of Governor Fubara’s resolve to deliver people-centered governance while strengthening the state’s position as a key contributor to Nigeria’s aviation and economic growth, people-centered governance while strengthening the state’s position as a key contributor to Nigeria’s aviation and economic growth.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
