April 17, (THEWILL) – Governor Samuel Ortom has expressed optimism that with the resumption of commercial flight operations to Makurdi, Benue State, will raise business and economic activities to the advantage of the state.
The governor, who made the disclosure on the occasion of the resumption of commercial flights at the Nigerian Air Force Aerodrome in Makurdi on Monday, added that an unquantifiable sum of money was invested to fulfil some conditions listed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
“In the course of this journey, we have had extensive engagement with all the key players in the Aviation Industry, including the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigeria Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), amongst others.”
He said the Government has invested heavily in time, goodwill and financial resources to help to meet the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s rigorous requirements for the resumption of Commercial Aviation services in the state.
According to the governor, some of the contributions made by the state government include facilitating the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the NAF, FAAN, NAMA and NiMET for the use of the NAF Aerodrome for commercial services; procurement and provision of an NCAA-approved Digital Airport Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle, along with training, equipping and testing of over 50 Fire Staff.
Other conditions fulfilled were the provision of a state-of-the-art Ambulance and trained Health personnel for Emergency Rescue Services, and facilitating the Geodetic Survey of the Airport to ensure the Airport is included in ICAO maps so that pilots can rely on instruments and not their eyes to fly into Makurdi.
“Provisions of Airport Tarmac markings and related airside signages; provision of operational vehicles for NAMA; strengthening of access control and security screening; Provision of temporary spaces for Terminal operations.”
Governor Ortom appreciated the diligence of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other Aviation Agencies in ensuring that all Airports meet such stringent requirements for aviation safety.
He noted that meeting the requirements was frustrating and costly for the State Government but had no doubt that these were necessary investments to ensure safe air links between Benue State and the rest of Nigeria and the world.
“Needless to say we have drawn some useful lessons from this long-drawn process that have better prepared the State for the development of the proposed Makurdi Airport in Kura as approved by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and NCAA.”
Earlier, the Ground Operations Manager of Air Peace, Mr Ayodeji Adeyemi, commended the efforts of the Benue State Government to the return flight operations in the state; saying such will stimulate the economy of the state.
