The Bayelsa State Government has announced that its Airport will commence commercial flight operations in July as the state had earlier received approval in April from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to commence commercial flight operations.
This followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state government and United Nigeria Airlines On Wednesday at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Yenagoa, the state capital.
Speaking at the event, Governor Douye Diri noted that the signing of the MoU signalled the commencement of flight operations at the Bayelsa airport in July.
He revealed that the commencement of flight operations will open the state to opportunities and people from all over the world.
Governor Diri while expressing his excitement said that the airport which is in the heart of the Ijaw nation was a dream come true for the founding fathers of the state.
He commended his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, for a well thought out initiative to embark on the construction and completion of the airport.
He also thanked the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for taking a step to agree on a partnership with the state government.
“Today marks the end of our search for a partner that would move this state to its desired place in the aviation sector. I want to announce to you that the state government has been searching for partners in terms of the MoU we have just signed. One of such partners that have agreed to join hands with the state government is the NCDMB.” he said.
Governor Diri appealed to other corporate organisations and the international oil companies to come and partner with the state for further development of the aviation sector in the state.
He further charged the Commissioner for Works to put modalities in place for the installation of runway lights, which he said would enable the airport commence night operations.
The signing of the MoU was done by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Konbowei Benson, who signed on behalf of the government in the presence of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo (SAN) as a witness.
United Nigeria Airlines was duly represented by the Executive Director and Chief Operations Officer, Mazi Osita Okonkwo and the Director of Administration/Special Adviser to the Chairman, Mr. Linus Awute.
