Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has strongly criticised past repair works on the runway of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, describing them as substandard and unsafe for flight operations.

Keyamo’s comments follow the Federal Government’s decision to shut down the airport from April 22 to May 6, 2025, for emergency repairs after a significant rupture was discovered on a critical section of the runway.

The closure comes shortly after Air Peace suspended operations at the airport over safety concerns. Dr. Ejike Ndiulo, Head of Corporate Communications at the airline, said persistent runway issues had disrupted flight schedules.

Confirming the development, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said the rupture compromised the asphalt surface, prompting immediate action.

In a statement on X, Keyamo expressed regret over the inconvenience but insisted the closure was necessary. “This same runway was closed in August 2019 for a year and handed over for total rehabilitation. Unfortunately, we found out that the waterlogged section wasn’t properly fixed,” he said.

He revealed that the poor construction led to cracks, potholes, and now craters, endangering aircraft and passengers. “I personally inspected the site and was displeased with the quality of the work. Temporary fixes haven’t worked.”

Keyamo assured that flight operations would be diverted to nearby airports during the repairs and pledged that the Ministry would work round-the-clock to meet the two-week repair timeline.

“We apologise for the inconvenience but must put public safety first. This is the Southeast’s major international gateway, and we must get it right,” he added.