Air Peace resumes operation in Benue, business, economic activities will rebound — Ortom

By  Titus Atondu,  Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has disclosed that with the resumption of Air Peace commercial flight operation in Benue State, business and economic activities will rise again.

Ortom made the disclosure in an address while inaugurating the resumption of Air Peace commercial flights at the Nigerian Air Force Aerodrome in Makurdi on Monday,

The Governor explained  that unquantifiable sum of money was invested to fulfill some conditions listed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

“In the course of this journey, we have had extensive engagement with all the key players in the Aviation Industry, including the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigeria Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), amongst others,” Ortom stated.

He further explained that the  Government has invested heavily in time, goodwill and financial resources to help  meet the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s rigorous requirements for the resumption of Commercial Aviation services in the State.

The Governor enumerated contributions made by the State Government to include, facilitating the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the NAF, FAAN, NAMA and NiMET for the use of the NAF Aerodrome for commercial services; procurement and provision of a NCAA-approved Digital Airport Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle, along with training, equipping and testing of over 50 Fire Staff.

Other conditions fulfilled were provision of a state-of-the-art Ambulance and trained Health personnel for Emergency Rescue Services; and facilitating the Geodetic Survey of the Airport to ensure the Airport is included in ICAO maps so that pilots can rely on instruments and not their eyes to fly into Makurdi.

“Provisions of Airport Tarmac markings and related airside signages; provision of operational vehicle for NAMA; strengthening of access control and security screening; Provision of temporary spaces for Terminal operations,” he said.

Ortom commended  the diligence of NCAA and  other Aviation Agencies in ensuring that all Airports meet such stringent requirements for aviation safety.

He said meeting the requirements was frustrating and costly for the State Government, but had no doubt that these were necessary investments to ensure safe air links between Benue State and the rest of Nigeria and the outside world.

“Needless to say we have drawn some useful lessons from this long-drawn process that have better prepared the State for the development of the proposed Makurdi Airport in Kura as approved by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and NCAA,” Ortom stated.

Earlier, the Chairman Air Peace who was represented by the Ground Operations Manager of Air Peace, Mr. Ayodeji Adeyemi, appreciated  the efforts of Benue State Government that has made it possible for the resumption  of flight operations in the State; will go a long way to boost the economy of the State.

The ground Operation manager pledged that Air Peace will not disappoint Benue State, while ensuring timely and safety services to  Benue people.