#2023: Ekweremadu will Establish Coal City And South East Airlines If Elected Enugu Governor _ Celestine Okanya | CABLE REPORTERS

Sen. Ekweremadu (file)

A socio critic and the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Accreditation Service, Mr. Celestine Okanya has expressed his awareness of the plan of the former deputy president of the senate and the current senator representing Enugu West Senatorial Zone. Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu to establish two Airlines if elected the Governor of Enugu State

“I am aware that come 2023, when Ikeoha resumes office at Lion building Enugu, South East Airline / Coal City Air will commence operations almost immediately. Enugu will become a hub for both local and international travelers.” - Okanya 

Sen. Ekweremadu and Mr. Okanya (FB)

Mr. Okanya, a known critic of the present Ugwuanyi led administration took to his social media to expose this plan, he stated that the airlines will compete with Ethiopian Airlines, create job opportunities to the people and bring in tax revenues.

“The new airline will create jobs for our people and bring in tax revenues. We clamor for IKEOHA because what we will accomplish for Ndi-Enugu are already planned.” - Mr. Okanya

The statement generated a lot of criticisms as many argued that Enugu do not have the needed fund to float an airline not to talk of two airlines, many are also of the opinion that airline is none of the problem facing Ndi Enugu.

“Cele Okanya Well. Until then but airlines aren't profitable really and in a field that already has much competition? How do you think Coal City airline is sustainable? You are seeking to block leakages and you want to create another leakage?Won't it be easier to lobby these private airline companies to fly Enugu direct than using the state scare resources on a venture that would be waste in the future?This is why we need an economist or business man as a leader.” Chinwokwu Ugwueze argued

Senator Ekweremadu is yet to declare his intention to disregard the predominant zoning arrangements in the state which is currently in favor of Enugu East Senatorial Zone to vie for the states seat of power but his supporters have gone ahead to preach and campaign for him.

Recall, CABLE REPORTERS had reported of the plan of Nigerian government to float Nigerian Air which was proposed to be a Nigerian flag carrier. The airline was announced at the Farnborough Air Show, in the UK, in 2018. 

Initially, operations were due to commence in December 2018. However, just two months later, in September 2018, President M. Buhari led Federal Government announced that Nigeria Air had been suspended.

Before suspending the project, the Nigerian government had announced that it would invest US$5 million in the new airline, and said that the investment would be intended as a business, not social venture.