The people of Oro nation have eventually reached an accord with the State government on the closure of a section of Uyo-Oron Federal Highway to allow for the construction of Akwa Ibom International Airport runway.

The development is the out-come of a meeting between the Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio and the major stakeholders in the area namely the Oron Union, Oro Youth Movement and Oro Women Organization held recently at the Oron Civic Centre.

Following a unanimous voice acclamation to a motion to this effect by John Ekpenyong which was seconded by Kevin Ating, the people endorsed the speedy construction of the project and the opening of a diversion of the road to facilitate movement of people and goods to the area.

Governor Godswill Akpabio lauded the people for understanding the need to dose the road to allow for quick completion of the runway and explained that he would communicate the directive for a partial closure of the road to the Federal Ministry of Aviation for action.

He assured that with the decision, government would hasten the successful completion of the spur for traffic and the airport runway to ensure that aircrafts land on the airport by March, next year.

The Governor however directed the five catchment Local Government Areas around the Airport to send names of 20 graduate engineers for overseas training to form core staff of the Airport on completion.

The chairman of the occasion, Barr Ekpenyong Ntekim expressed happiness with the Governor for the visit which, according to him, "has shown a difference between arrogance of civilian dictatorship and consultative meeting."

Barr Ntekim assured the governor of the co-operation of Oro people on the closure of the road while the President of Oron Union, Chief Okon Medekong reminded the governor that Oron people had agreed with him to close the road after providing an alternative route.

Chiief Medekong who complained that Oron sons have not been appointed to serve as chairmen of Boards and Commissions just constituted, appealed to governor Akpabio to reconsider them in future appointments.

In his contribution, the President of Oro Youth Movement, Apostle Etim Ante lauded Chief Akpabio for the construction of 34 road projects in Oron Urban, Esit Eket- Ibaka Road with a bridge but complained that senatorial and ministerial positions were not conceded to them.

Also speaking on behalf of the women, the President of Oro Women Organisation, Mrs. Jane Onwinang called for empowerment of women particularly through award of inter-ministerial direct labour jobs to women in Oro Nation.