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Tag: Bayelsa Airport

  • Jubilation as first commercial flight lands at Bayelsa Airport

    Jubilation as first commercial flight lands at Bayelsa Airport

    Commercial flight operations commenced at the Bayelsa State International Airport on Wednesday with the United Nigeria Airline (UNA) aircraft touching down about 3.45pm.

    The aircraft, which took off from the Murtala Mohammed Airport 2 (MMA2) in Lagos exactly 3pm, had on board the state governor, Senator Douye Diri, the airline’s chairman, Chief Obiora Okonkwo, Tokyo Olympics Silver medallist in wrestling, Bayelsa-born Blessing Oborududu, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, Ambassador Boladei Igali, members of the Bayelsa National Assembly caucus as well as the state House of Assembly members and commissioners among other dignitaries.

    A mammoth crowd of jubilant Bayelsans had thronged the airport from early in the morning in order to witness the historic event.

    Addressing the crowd on arrival, Governor Diri said full commercial flight would commence in two weeks based on bookings made.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the governor noted that commencement of commercial flight signalled economic development of the state by bringing Bayelsa to the world and the world to Bayelsa.

    His words: “This significant event is the culmination of the aspirations that was birthed by late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, former governor of the state, which was eventually built by Senator Seriake Dickson, my predecessor. And it is under my administration that this project was crystallised. This is a demonstration that team work truly works.

    “I am happy to report to you that the pilot of the United Nigeria Airline said our runway is one of the best in Nigeria. It is our determination to make Bayelsa truly the Glory of All Lands and we are making Bayelsa a construction site.”

    Senator Diri also expressed gratitude to his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and his team whom he said worked tirelessly to bring the project to fruition.

    Speaking on behalf of the state’s national assembly caucus, Senator Moses Cleopas representing Central Senatorial District, congratulated Governor Diri and Bayelsans for achieving the feat and lauded him for his visionary leadership.

    In their separate goodwill messages, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, chairman of the state Traditional Rulers Council and Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff as well as Chief Obiora Okonkwo said with the airport in place, it would open a plethora of economic opportunities and place Bayelsa on the world map.

    They urged Bayelsans, particularly the youths, to take advantage of the opportunities that the airport facility world bring to empower themselves.

  • NCAA approves commercial flight operations at Bayelsa airport, Diri reacts

    NCAA approves commercial flight operations at Bayelsa airport, Diri reacts

    After months of expectation, the Bayelsa State-owned airport, on Saturday, finally got the nod of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to commence commercial flight operations.

    The NCAA Director General, Dr. Nuhu Musa, presented the regulatory body’s approval letter to an elated Governor Douye Diri in Government House, Yenagoa, after the team completed the mandatory inspection of the airport and its facilities.

    Dr. Musa said the airport met all airspace standards and is one hundred per cent ready for daytime flight operations.

    The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the NCAA DG as saying that the approval was sequel to the report of the agency’s inspection team, which prior to the visit had certified that out of 29 gaps, the airport was able to close 26.

    He noted that other requirements were non-safety related and that work was already in progress to achieve night flight operations.

    He said the agency had to limit flight operations to daytime as the runway lights were being installed, noting that once completed, full approval would be granted.

    Musa commended the state government for the quality of work done at the airport and the capable personnel from the state that facilitated the issuing of the licence.

    Responding, Governor Diri, who was full of joy, expressed appreciation to God for making the long-awaited day possible.

    He said issuing of the operational licence was a winding journey that began from the administration of his immediate past predecessor to when he assumed duty over a year ago.

    Senator Diri commended former Governor Seriake Dickson for his foresight in ensuring that the state had its own airport.

    He noted that Senator Dickson started the project, which had been on the drawing board of past administrations and saw to its completion before handing over to him.

    He said his administration was therefore determined to ensure flight operations commenced as he set the machinery in motion to get the NCAA nod.

    His words: “This is a dream come true for our state and our people. I thank God Almighty because this journey had been a winding one from my immediate past predecessor and I have been in the saddle for over a year waiting for this licence. Today, God made it possible.

    “I also thank my predecessor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson. This airport had been on the drawing board but he took the bull by the horns by starting the airport and virtually completed it. May I on behalf of this government and the people of Bayelsa appreciate him.

    “As I came on board, having seen what he did, my administration had to cross the T’s and dot the I’s. Having been briefed on certain requirements, I wasted no time in approving what was necessary to ensure that the airport was ready for use. Today, we have the approval for the airport to commence commercial flight operations.”

    Diri also expressed appreciation to the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, the NCAA DG and officials for the approval and promised to do all it takes to get full flight operations.

    He averred that all the necessary facilities and equipment were in place and would be installed in no distant time, especially all the runway lighting system.

    He said the importance of an airport cannot be overemphasised, particularly in the South-South region that is the centre of oil and gas activities in the country.

    “Bayelsa State is a major contributor to the oil and gas business in Nigeria. Bayelsa is the centre not only of oil and gas but also other economic activities within the South-South and the South-East.

    “So, the Bayelsa airport is critical not only to Bayelsans but indeed the people of the South-South, South-East and by extension the nearby countries. We are at the border with the Gulf of Guinea,” he said.

  • Okowa hails Dickson on maiden flight to Bayelsa airport

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has congratulated his Bayelsa state counterpart, Seriake Dickson on the successful arrival of the maiden flight to the Bayelsa International Airport, Amassoma on Thursday.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Okowa in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu said that the successful arrival of Air Peace 5N-BUV at the newly-built Bayelsa International airport in Amassoma, Southern Ijaw local government area marked the beginning of a new dawn in the state.

    The statement reads: “The successful completion of the Bayelsa International Airport and subsequent commencement of flights into the Airport marks a turning point in economy of Bayelsans as they would no longer travel long distances to access air transport.

    “Yesterday’s event is also a testimony of the dogged determination of PDP Governors to provide monumental and life changing infrastructure for the people of their respective states.

    “On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta State i congratulate my brother Governor Hon. Seriake Dickson and the good people of Bayelsa State on the successful completion of the Bayelsa International Airport.

    “While we look forward to the official inauguration of the airport, we have no doubt that the airport will contribute significantly to the economy of Bayelsans as it will also make access to air transport services closer to Bayelsans.

    “The socioeconomic implication of the commencement of commercial flights in and out of Bayelsa airport is the creation of more jobs, more revenue generated as well as increased turnover for hoteliers, airport taxi operators and other ancillary businesses at the airport, it’s indeed a new dawn for Bayelsans”.

    Okowa said he was particularly happy Governor Dickson achieved the feat on the 7th anniversary of his restoration administration in Bayelsa State, adding that the people did not make any mistake in returning him to office when they massively voted for his second term.