Alex Otti has approved the allocation of 100 hectares of land within the proposed Abia Airport project site to the Nigerian Air Force for the establishment of a training base in Abia State.
The approval followed a request from the Air Force for additional land to expand its proposed training facility. Initially, about 50 hectares had been set aside for the project, but the military authorities later sought a larger area to accommodate the planned infrastructure.
Governor Otti granted the request on Tuesday, March 10, while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Air Force’s Ground Training Command. The delegation was led by the Commander, Adebayo Gabriel Kehinde, who paid a courtesy visit to the governor at his office.
During the meeting, the governor explained that the Abia Airport project is being developed through a collaborative effort between the state government and the federal government. According to him, the Abia State Government is responsible for constructing the runway, while the Federal Government will handle the development of the airport terminal.
Otti expressed optimism that the runway construction would be completed soon, noting that work on the terminal building could follow as the project progresses.
He also commended the Nigerian Air Force for agreeing to establish a base in the state, describing the move as a major boost for security, training, and economic activity in the region.
“I want to thank the Nigerian Air Force for approving the establishment of a base in Abia and for taking the additional step of setting up a training facility at the Abia Airport project site, which is currently under development,” the governor said.
Otti further noted that the Air Force’s request for land to build a training centre aligned with his own vision for the project.
“The request you made was actually something I had also intended to propose. I had earlier mentioned it to the commander about setting up a training centre here in Abia,” he added.
Reassuring the delegation of the state government’s commitment to the project, the governor confirmed that the Air Force would receive the required land.
“You can take it for granted that you will have at least 100 hectares of land at that location,” Otti stated.
The planned Air Force training facility is expected to strengthen military presence in the South-East and contribute to the broader development of the airport project.
