By Chinelo Obogo
Former Minister for Aviation, Osita Chidoka has said he will stop using Asaba International Airport, citing the deplorable state of the Asaba–Onitsha expressway.
Chidoka, who posted this on his X handle, expressed frustration over the neglect of the route, urging the public to instead travel through the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport.
For 14 years, Chidoka said the Asaba Airport served as his main route to Obosi, adding that as Aviation Minister, he ensured the airport met safety standards, calling it “my airport” in many ways.
However, he said the deterioration of the Asaba-Onitsha expressway has turned the journey into “a harrowing ordeal.”
He said: “As Minister of Aviation, I ensured that Asaba Airport met safety standards; it was, in many ways, my airport. Not anymore. The Asaba–Onitsha expressway has collapsed into disrepair, turning travel through Asaba into a harrowing ordeal. What was once a promising and thriving city now shows troubling signs of neglect and a profound lack of empathy for residents and travellers alike. As a result, I have decided to avoid using Asaba Airport.
“From now on, I will use the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport and urge those travelling to Anambra to do the same. I will engage the airlines to increase flight frequencies to Anambra Airport, so we can ease the burden on travellers and support functional infrastructure. It’s time we reward functional infrastructure and hold neglect accountable.” Asaba Airport officials are yet to respond to the criticism.