Posted by Sade Williams
As part of efforts to develop and boost the economic activities of State, the Bayelsa international cargo airport will in August 2018, commence full operations.
The Managing Director of the Bayelsa Airlines limited, Capt Henry Ungbuku who made this known at the Airport Business Summit and Expo in Abuja said, the project was at its final stage of completion and will be commissioned by the end of August.
He said the airport was being constructed to create more opportunities for the people of the state especially for oil workers adding that construction workers work round the clock to meet the August date.
According to him, airports are not built for passengers facilitation alone but also for the movement of cargo in order to attract business
While commending the State government for the initiative, he said the people’s development and advancement are priority in the plans, hence the airport.
He condemned the collapse of some state airports across the country as a result lack of continuity, adding that the mission of Bayelsa government was to ensure continuity after the tenure of the present administration.
He said the government considered long time investment with the acquisition of 2,250 hecters of land from the onset of the project, disclosing that the airport will accommodate B747 aircraft and that be fitted with category II landing facilities.
According to him, the potentials of the airport was enormous not only for job creation but for the provision of critical facilities such as hangar.
He explained that the state having a hangar will bring succor to airlines in the country to carry out their C-checks and save millions of naira, urging investors to come to the state as enabling environment will be provided for their business to thrive.
Ungbuku revealed that 40% of air travellers using the Port Harcourt airport were from Bayelsa state maintaining that the state has the customer base in terms of passenger traffic.
While thanking the state government for the opportunity given him to serve, Ungbuku expressed optimism that the president and Commander in chief, president Mohammadu Buhari will be present to commission the airport by August 27.
