The Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, His Majesty Dr. Emmanuel Sideso, Abe I, who also serves as the Chairman of Urhobo Traditional Rulers Forum in Delta State, has decried the deplorable state of the Osubi Airport in Delta State.
According to The PUNCH, the monarch stated that the youths in the area have virtually turned a portion of the airport’s runway to a mini football pitch.
Characterizing the situation as a “security risk to passengers,” the monarch urgently called on the Federal Government to intervene and prevent any potential untoward incidents.
“The Honourable Minister of Aviation should intervene and put an immediate stop to using part of the Osubi Airport as a football pitch. This is a security risk to passengers. We want a world-class airport,” the monarch said.
Speaking in the courtyard of his palace on Saturday during a civic reception hosted by the Uvwie community in honor of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, the traditional ruler emphasized the need for the revitalization and upgrade of Osubi Airport in Delta to transform it into a world-class facility.
“All we are demanding is the total takeover of the Osubi Airport; settlement of backlogs of salaries; payment of contractual agreements; adequate equipment for flawless flights at day and night; new runway and expansions to accommodate bigger aircraft, and upgrading to international standard,” the monarch stated.
In response, Festus Keyamo, holding the traditional chieftaincy title of Omorokaro of Uvwie Kingdom, acknowledged the condition of public infrastructure, including roads and utilities, in the Niger Delta region.
He acknowledged being under “severe pressure back home” as a member of the Federal Executive Council. Despite this, Keyamo promised to officially convey the monarch’s message to President Bola Tinubu and assured that the government would promptly take positive actions.
