Ibom International Airport, officially Akwa Ibom International Airport (AKIA), is one of the remarkable features of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Aerial view of the airport overlooking the MRO, Runway, temporary terminal building and the flight tower.
The 3.6km runway is the longest in the country and is equipped with the latest aviation technologies, by global standards, had commenced daily commercial flights to Lagos and Abuja and international flight (i.e. the airlift of Christians on pilgrimage to the holy land) operations since 2009. It is designed to provide both passenger and cargo services as it can handle wide-body Boeing 747 aircraft.
Model of Terminal building of Ibom International airport under construction
The Airport is about 30 km from the city center, is the newest and most modern airport in Nigeria. A Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility is being built as part of the facilities. The government is in discussions with international investors on the management of the facility.
The National Hanger/ Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) facilities are nearing completion, while Work has commenced on the building of the state-of-the-art main terminal building of the airport and another taxiway. So far the airport has become the fastest growing in the history of aviation in Nigeria. Ibom International Airport is first of its kind in West and Central Africa strategically located to serve the commercial interest of the Gulf of Guinea and big revenue earner for the state.
Akwa Ibom
Akwa Ibom is a state in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria, bordered by Cross River, Rivers, Abia, Ebonyi states and the Atlantic Ocean.
It was created in 1987 from Cross River State and has 31 local government areas.
It has a population of about 5.5 million people as of 2016 and is the 15th most populous state in Nigeria.
The state is rich in natural resources such as oil, gas, clay, limestone, salt, and coal.
Akwa Ibom is also known for its cultural diversity and language similarities. There are over 20 languages spoken in Akwa Ibom, but the major ones are Ibibio, Anaang, Efik, and Igbo.
Akwa Ibom takes its name from the Qua Iboe River which bisects Akwa Ibom before flowing into the Bight of Bonny.
Akwa Ibom has a tropical climate with two seasons: rainy and dry. The rainy season lasts from April to October and the dry season from November to March.
It is home to various tourist attractions such as the Ibom Plaza, the Ibeno Beach, the Stubb’s Creek Forest Reserve, the National Museum of Colonial History, and the Meridien Akwa Ibom golf course.
Akwa Ibom has a vibrant culture and celebrates various festivals such as the New Yam Festival, the Ekpe Masquerade Festival, the Leboku Festival, and the Christmas Carols Festival.
Located in the South Eastern part of the country, Akwa Ibom is a key member of Nigeria’s South South Zone, rich in crude oil, natural gas and a diversity of agricultural produce.
Over 5000 expatriates working for various organisations like Exxon Mobil, Shell, Chevron, Elf, the Aluminum Smelter Company, ALSCON, Forrestal, Reynold International and the University of Uyo have found a home here.
Capital City: Uyo
Other Major Cities: Eket, Ikot Ekpene, Abak, Ikot Abasi and Oron.
Location: Latitude 4o 32’ and 5o53’ North and Longitude 7o25’ and 8o25 East.
Area: 8,412 square kilometers
Climate: Tropical climate marked by two distinct seasons; the dry season (November – March) and the wet season (April – October). The wet season is usually interrupted by a short dry spell in August.
Mean annual rainfall is 2,200mm in the north of the state and 3,500mm in the south of the state.
Sunshine is between 1,400 to 1,500 hours per year. Average temperature range from 23oC to 31oC.
Vegetation: Three easily distinguishable vegetation; the saline water swamp forest, the fresh water swamp forest and the rainforest.
The major industrial crop is the oil palm tree. The Akwa Ibom has the densest groves of oil palm in Nigeria. The Akwa Palm Industries PLC was set up in 1991 to harness the full potential of this crop.
The production of crude palm oil will allow for downstream industries which can refine the oil into vegetable oil, soaps, margarine, glycerin, candles, detergents and numerous other products. The kernel oil is used for the manufacture of high quality toilet soap. Bye product from the oil palm industries are used for the production of livestock feeds.
Although Akwa Ibom is mineral-rich, agriculture is the bedrock of its economy. It employs about 70 percent of the state’s workforce. Most are engaged in subsistent farming. The industrial sector is small and is dominated by government owned companies. The private sector is active in the service areas, although a few industries are privately owned.
At inception, the state inherited a number of companies from Cross River State. These are:
Sunshine Batteries, Essien Udim
Peacock Paint, Etinam
Quality Ceramic Industries, Itu
Qua Steal Products Limited, Eket
Asbestonit Industries, Oron
Plasto – Crown Industries, Uyo
International Biscuits Limited, Ikot Ekpene
Champion Breweries, Uyo
Pamil Industries, Abak
Most of the companies are ailing, becoming a drain on government. As part of the economic policies, these companies are to be revived and privatized. Government is diverting its interest in them in line with overall philosophy to focus on creating an enabling environment for private sector initiatives to flourish.
LGAs in Akwa Ibom State
The LGAs (Local Government Areas) in Akwa Ibom State are:
