The Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF) has called on Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, to abandon plans for a second airport in the state and redirect resources towards rail transportation and mechanised agriculture.
The appeal follows Thursday’s announcement by Martins Nwafor, Managing Director of the Chinua Achebe International Cargo Airport, Umueri, who revealed that the state government intends to build a new airport in Ndikelionwu, Orumba North Local Government Area.
In a statement released in Enugu on Friday, NUF Chairman, Chief Augustine Chukwudum, criticised the proposal as wasteful, stressing that the existing airport in Anambra East is yet to operate at full capacity.
“Governor Soludo’s plan for another airport is a misallocation of public resources.
“What our people need is efficient, affordable transport through a modern rail system, not another airport that may turn out to be a white elephant project,” Chukwudum said.
He added that Orumba, a largely agrarian region, would benefit more from investment in commercial farming and agro-industrialisation than in aviation infrastructure.
“Anambra has vast fertile land that can drive mechanised agriculture and boost food security if properly harnessed.
“Unfortunately, past administrations failed to tap into this potential due to a lack of vision and innovation,” he lamented.
The group urged the Soludo administration to rethink its priorities, warning that the proposed airport could drain resources without offering real value to residents.
