IMO ASSEMBLY CALLS ON GOV. UZODIMMA TO INTERVENE IN HIGH FLIGHT TICKET PRICES TO OWERRI
By Kelechi Ugo
The Imo State House of Assembly has called on Governor Hope Uzodimma to direct the State Ministry of Transport to urgently intervene in the soaring cost of flight tickets to Owerri, the state capital.
This resolution was reached during the House plenary held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, following a motion presented by the Minority Leader and Member representing Aboh Mbaise State Constituency, Hon. Princewill Ugochukwu Amuchie.
Raising concerns over the economic implications of the high airfare, Hon. Amuchie highlighted the disparity between ticket prices to Owerri and those to other cities with similar flight durations and distances. He noted that many Imo residents are being priced out of air travel, which in turn affects economic activities, tourism, and business mobility within the state.
"Imo Airport is one of the busiest in the country, yet airfare to Owerri remains disproportionately high compared to similar routes. This has placed a financial burden on travelers and hampers economic opportunities," Hon. Amuchie said.
He recalled the historical significance of the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, describing it as a product of communal sacrifice and pride. He commended Governor Uzodimma for infrastructural upgrades, including the airport access road, installation of night landing facilities, and overall facelift of the airport, which he said has positioned it among the best in Nigeria.
While acknowledging that aviation regulation falls under the purview of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Hon. Amuchie urged the State Ministry of Transport to initiate collaboration with FAAN and airline operators. He proposed possible interventions such as introducing pricing guidelines, offering tax incentives to airlines that reduce fares, and attracting more airline operators to the state to foster healthy competition.
The motion was seconded by Deputy Minority Leader and Member representing Owerri Municipal, Hon. Chief Clinton Amadi, and co-sponsored by 16 lawmakers including Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, Majority Leader Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi, and others.
Several lawmakers spoke in support of the motion, including Hon. Okey Udeze (Ideato North), Hon. Engr. Innocent Ikpamezie (Mbaitoli), Hon. Bernard Ozoemelam (Ehime Mbano), and Hon. Uche Agabige (Orsu), among others. They echoed concerns over the economic strain the high flight costs are placing on the people and the need for urgent state-level intervention.
Presiding over the plenary, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, commended the motion and subsequently put it to a vote. The motion was unanimously adopted.
In his ruling, the Speaker declared:
"Be it resolved by this Honourable House to urge the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, to direct the Ministry of Transport to intervene in reducing flight ticket prices to Owerri, as a step towards making air travel more accessible to the people of Imo State."
The Clerk of the House was instructed to formally communicate the resolution to the Governor.
