Commercial flight operations are set to resume at the
military airport, Makurdi, Benue state after prolonged restriction.
This was disclosed at the signing ceremony of the Joint Use
Agreement held at the New banquet hall of Benue Peoples House, Makurdi, with
Samuel Ortom, Benue state governor, in attendance.
The agreement was among the Nigerian Air Force (NAF),
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management
Agency (NAMA), and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
Air Peace started inaugural flight operations in December
2020 to Makurdi airport but stopped after few weeks.
In June, Ortom had said the suspension was because the
Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the regulatory body, said some other
regulations needed to be complied with before resumption of flight operation.
Speaking at the event, Ortom said that the lack of aircraft
denied the state of collaborations with top personalities and that many people
who wanted to access the state could not due to the lack of commercial flights.
“Benue state had been for a long time deleted from Nigeria
map because of no flight,” he said.
“Some distinguish
personalities who wanted to work with us couldn’t do so because of flights, they
are denied such opportunity and we too are denied the opportunity, because of
insecurity.
“The challenge had been air traffic. I believe that in a
short while many things about Benue will now change and the economy of our
people will grow.”
The governor also noted the immense support of the Nigerian
Air Force to the state in areas of security, education, health, saying that the
stoppage of commercial flight operations was due to lack of proper
documentation.
James Gwani, NAF chief of training, air operation, the
representative of the chief of air staff, chief of training and operations
headquarters at the event, said that the utilisation of NAF aerodrome for civil
flight operations was a component of their corporate social responsibility and
civil-military relationship and that the economic and social benefits would be
massive.
“The use of NAF
aerodrome in Makurdi for civil flights is for the benefits of Benue people.
It’s our way of responding to corporate responsibility by ensuring civil
flights using our facility,” he said.
“Shortly, we shall see the multiplier effect on the economy
of the state. We shall work with FAAN to ensure smooth operations.”
Clifford Omozeghian, FAAN’s company secretary and legal
adviser, who represented the MD/CEO, said FAAN management was passionate about
fulfilling its role in the agreement, especially with the impending
responsibility of operating the Markudi airport.
“NAF signs a joint user agreement for both civil and NAF
operation. FAAN under the joint user agreement will be responsible for the
operation of the Makurdi airport which will include commercial flights,
agricultural, and VIP flights, Omozeghian said.
“We shall work to
meet our responsibility in the joint agreement.”
Ayodeji Ayodele, a representative of Air Peace, said with
the signing of the agreement will ensure that Air Peace was part of the
December flight schedule inbound and outbound Markurdi.
Ahmed Abdu, director legal and secretary, NiMet and Aver
Gbem, legal adviser NAMA, signed for their agencies, respectively.
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