May 19, (THEWILL) – The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Captain Rabi’u Yadudu, has assured that the takeover of Gombe Airport by his agency would ensure improved services.
He also added that security would be beefed up in the airport to protect travellers, now that it is being operated by the government.
FAAN had, on Thursday, taken over the operations of Gombe Airport.
Speaking after embarking on an inspection of major areas around the airport, Yadudu said its operatives’ visit enabled the smooth takeover of operations.
He said, “We will handle the management and maintenance of this particular facility. We are here to take over full control of the management of the facility on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria. It is part of our routine assessment anytime we are taking over an airport. What we just went around to do was to assess the status of the facilities, primarily the runways, parking area and critical services such as airport fire fighting services, which comprise the personnel and equipment in case of emergency.
“We will bring much better standardisation of safety and security. We have a wider reach of professionals. The takeover is now, this is symbolic. When we bring personnel that are properly trained and even when we bring them we try to consider the interest of local communities, anywhere we go, we take the local people to work with them even those that don’t work with FAAN.”
Also speaking, the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Manassah Jatau, said the takeover by the FG would boost business and help consolidate the State’s gain on ease of doing business.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
