The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has stepped up efforts to transform the Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar, Cross River State, with the agency’s Governing Board Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, leading a high-level inspection of ongoing upgrade projects at the airport.
The inspection came during a courtesy visit by Ganduje, FAAN Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, members of the FAAN Board and management to the Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Edet Otu.
The visit underscored FAAN’s renewed drive to modernise critical airport infrastructure while forging stronger partnerships with state governments to improve aviation services and passenger experience across the country.
At Margaret Ekpo International Airport, the FAAN delegation inspected ongoing works covering critical components of the facility, including runway rehabilitation, installation of a new 500KVA solar power system and plans for terminal improvements.
The projects are expected to strengthen the airport’s operational capacity, improve reliability and enhance the experience of passengers using the gateway to Cross River State.
Ganduje, Kuku Lead Infrastructure Push
The presence of Ganduje and Kuku at the airport signals the importance FAAN attaches to the rehabilitation and modernisation of airport infrastructure, particularly at facilities serving major tourism, commercial and economic destinations.
The agency’s intervention in Calabar also comes against the backdrop of increasing demands for safer, more reliable and more efficient airport facilities across Nigeria.
The proposed 500KVA solar power system is expected to provide a more sustainable power solution for airport operations, while the runway rehabilitation will address one of the most critical components of aviation infrastructure.
Terminal improvement plans are similarly aimed at creating a more functional and passenger-friendly environment.
During the visit, the FAAN leadership reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the Cross River State Government and other stakeholders to ensure that airport development translates into tangible benefits for travellers, businesses and the wider economy.
‘Better Airports, Better Passenger Experience’
The engagement with Governor Otu also reinforced the importance of collaboration between FAAN and state governments in driving sustainable aviation infrastructure.
For Cross River, a state heavily dependent on tourism, commerce and investment, an upgraded international airport could provide an important boost to connectivity and economic activity.
FAAN said the visit reaffirmed its commitment to stronger partnerships, sustainable infrastructure and a better passenger experience across Nigeria’s airports.
The developments at Margaret Ekpo International Airport therefore represent more than routine maintenance, as FAAN seeks to position Nigeria’s airports as modern gateways capable of supporting economic growth, tourism and increased passenger traffic.
With Ganduje and Kuku personally inspecting the ongoing works, expectations are rising that the intervention will translate into visible improvements at the Calabar airport and reinforce FAAN’s wider infrastructure renewal agenda.
