Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi said this while speaking to Journalists after he led a delegation of leaders form the South-East on courtesy visit to President Buhari on Thursday.

He said “We are here to kindly urge Mr. President to approve special fund for the Akanu Ibiam Airport just like what was done for Abuja Airport and he graciously approved.

“The closure of the Enugu airport has grounded activities in the region and causing great hardship on the people.”

The Ebonyi State Governor, who doubles as the Chairman of the South East Governors Forum, said the zone also sought for declaration of state of emergency on roads and erosion in the South East.

“We talked about the disconnect due to deplorable condition of rods between states in the South East roads which has made lives of our people miserable and we have asked him to do something urgent about it.

“He directed the Minister of Works and Housing to brief us and he told us the intervention he is going to make. Its not one-off we are going to put pressure to make sure that these roads are fixed. Already the Governors are doing their beat in making sure that some of the federal roads that are terribly bad are fixed at their own expense,” he said.

The meeting later went into closed doors as Journalists were asked to leave the Council Chamber before the President started his speech.

In attendance were Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Emeka Ihedioha of Imo and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senate Minority Leader representing South East Caucus in the National Assembly.

Others were former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, former Governors Martin Elechi, Ebonyi State, Okwesilieze, Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, Enugu State, Achike Udenwa, Imo, and Ikedi Ohakim, Imo.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, and Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed also attended the crucial meeting.