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From Obinna Odogwu, Awka
Candidate of Action Alliance (AA) for Oyi/Ayamelum Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, Onuzulike John Udemezue, has asked the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to halt the second airport project he initiated and use the funds instead to transform Ayamelum into a modern agricultural hub.
Udemezue, in a statement, described the ongoing airport project as misplacement of priorities and waste of resources at a time soaring food prices and inflation while rural communities remain underdeveloped.
“What percentage of Ndi Anambra can afford to fly today?” he queried. “For the average Anambra farmer, trader and civil servant grappling with the high cost of food and transportation, air travel remains a luxury.”
The House of Representatives hopeful made it clear that it makes no economic sense for Soludo to commence the building of another airport in the state while the one built by his predecessor, Chief Willie Obiano, about five years ago is underutilized.
“Anambra does not need a second airport when the existing infrastructure is yet to be fully maximised. Building another facility close to functional aviation nodes is an unwarranted expenditure.
“What our people desperately need is food security, economic empowerment and sustainable rural infrastructure.
“We cannot be building a second airport for a privileged few while the majority cannot afford three square meals”, Udemezue said.
He noted that Ayamelum Local Government Area, which is one of the major food baskets of the state, has vast fertile land capable of feeding the state and generating massive revenue if properly harnessed.
He proposed a 4-point agricultural blueprint as alternative investment, thus: “All-Season Irrigation for modern irrigation systems along the Omambala River basin for year-round cultivation of rice, cassava, maize and vegetables;
“Construction of access roads linking farm settlements in Ayamelum to regional markets to cut post-harvest losses and transport costs;
“Aggressive subsidy of tractors, high-yield seeds, fertilizers and processing facilities to move farmers from subsistence to commercial-scale agribusiness
“and the establishment of processing hubs and youth agribusiness grants within Ayamelum to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs across Oyi and Ayamelum.”
Udemezue, therefore, urged the state government to “prioritise grassroots economic realities over vanity projects” and reaffirmed his commitment to functional, impact-driven development, if elected into the National Assembly next year.
