The Federal Government has inaugurated flight
operations of Overland Airways at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport
in Minna, Niger state.
Minister of Aviation and Airspace Development, Mr
Festus Keyamo, inaugurated the flight operation in Minna on Wednesday.
He said that the newly reconstructed airport would be
an alternative to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Keyamo said plans were underway to deploy Customs,
Immigration, Police, NDLEA, and other necessary measures to process passengers,
should Abuja airport encounters problems.
The minister applauded Gov. Umaru Bago’s political
will on the project, stating that the airport would boost investment, job
creation, and increase Niger State’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), particularly
in agriculture.
In his remarks, Gov. Bago commended President Bola
Tinubu for his support, highlighting the airport’s potentials and ongoing
developments.
He explained that the airport sits on 3,000 hectares
of land and highlighted ongoing development projects in the airport to include
renovation of the airport terminal and runway, construction of a
state-of-the-art terminal with modern facilities, and development of an
aviation estate with 500 housing units.
Bago said a fuel dump and a five-star Hilton hotel
were under construction, alongside 1,000 kilometres of road to support airport
operations.
The governor also revealed that 180 containers on a
ship were expected to arrive at the airport, further emphasising the airport’s
potential for development and its capacity to rival other global airports.
Also speaking, the Minister of Information and
National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, hailed Bago’s developmental strides and
the aviation minister’s efforts in improving the sector.
He reiterated government’s commitment to the welfare
of citizens, noting that food prices were gradually dropping due to President
Tinubu’s administration’s strategic measures.
Also, Capt. Edward Boyo, Founder and Managing Director
of Overland Airways, assured of excellence in services and called for
stakeholder support.
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