The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Dr. Nuhu Musa, has presented an approval letter to Governor Douye Diri for the commencement of commercial flight operations in the state.
The letter was presented on Saturday, at the Government House, Yenagoa, after the team completed the mandatory inspection of the airport facilities.
Dr. Musa stated that the airport met all airspace requirements and is ready for daytime flight operations.
He commended the state government for the quality of work done at the airport.
In response, elated Governor Diri, expressed his appreciation to God for a dream come true, stating that the journey to recieving the operational approval began from his predecessor’s administration.
Governor Diri applauded former Governor, Seriake Dickson, for his foresight in ensuring that the state had its own airport.
He noted that his administration is determined to ensure flight operations commenced as he set the machinery in motion to get the approval.
In his speech, Governor Diri said:
“This is a dream come true for our state and our people. I thank God Almighty because this journey had been a winding one from my immediate past predecessor and I have been in the saddle for over a year waiting for this licence. Today, God made it possible.
“I also thank my predecessor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson. This airport had been on the drawing board but he took the bull by the horns by starting the airport and virtually completed it. May I on behalf of this government and the people of Bayelsa appreciate him.
“As I came on board, having seen what he did, my administration had to cross the T’s and dot the I’s. Having been briefed on certain requirements, I wasted no time in approving what was necessary to ensure that the airport was ready for use. Today, we have the approval for the airport to commence commercial flight operations.
“Bayelsa State is a major contributor to the oil and gas business in Nigeria. Bayelsa is the centre not only of oil and gas but also other economic activities within the South-South and the South-East.
“So, the Bayelsa airport is critical not only to Bayelsans but indeed the people of the South-South, South-East and by extension the nearby countries. We are at the border with the Gulf of Guinea”
Governor Diri further expressed appreciation to the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, NCAA DG and officials for the approval and promised to see to it that full flight operations commences.
He affirmed that, all the necessary facilities and equipment were in place and would be installed soon.
