By Aondowase Agabi
The Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom has expressed excitement over the resumption of flights to Makurdi.
Air Peace will be operating at least three flights per week from Lagos via Abuja to Makurdi.
Find below the full text of Gov Ortom’s speech at the epoch making event.
REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, GOVERNOR SAMUEL ORTOM ON THE OCCASION OF THE RESUMPTION OF COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS TO AND FROM MAKURDI AT THE NIGERIAN AIR FORCE AERODROME, MAKURDI ON MONDAY, 17TH APRIL, 2023
PROTOCOLS
Let me start by thanking God Almighty for making it possible for us to see this historic day of the resumption of Commercial Flight services to Makurdi, the Benue State capital. I also commend all those who have co-operated with us to make this day possible.
2. It has been a long journey that has been long in the making. In fact, it has taken us the better part of two years to meet the stringent regulatory requirements for the resumption of Commercial Aviation in our State. 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.
3. As a State Government, we have invested heavily in time, goodwill and financial resources to help to meet the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s rigorous requirements for the resumption of Commercial Aviation services here. Highlights of our contributions include:(
i) 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;i
(Ii) 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;
(iii) Provision of a state-of-the-art Ambulance and trained Health personnel for Emergency Rescue Services;i
(Iv) 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 just their eyes) to fly into Makurdi;
(v) Provisions of Airport Tarmac markings and related airside signages;
(vi) Provision of operational vehicle for NAMA;
(vii) Strengthening of access control and security screening;
(viii) Provision of temporary spaces for Terminal operations;
(ix) Provision of a subsidy to defray Air Peace against any unanticipated route risks; amongst others.
4.We are also in the process of providing long-term accommodation for the Nigeria Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) Personnel as well as a Tent to protect the ARFF truck and serve as a rest area for the Fire personnel, among other commitments.
5. I cannot end these brief remarks without appreciating once again the diligence of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the other Aviation Agencies in ensuring that all Airports meet such stringent requirements for aviation safety.
6. It is true that meeting these requirements was frustrating and costly for us as a State Government. But we had no doubt that these were necessary investments to ensure safe air links between our State and the rest of Nigeria and the world.
7. 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.
8. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, today’s resumption of Commercial Flights to and from Makurdi is a major milestone in our long quest to facilitate air links between our State and the rest of the country and the world.
9. It remains for me to once again thank the Minister of Aviation and his team, the NAF, NCAA, NAMA, NiMET, the Airport Manager and her colleagues as well as Air Peace for their co-operation and diligence in making today’s landmark event possible.
10. I also commend again the many members of my Administration and other patriotic Benue indigenes who have all worked hard to ensure that we get here.
11. Thank you and God bless.
12. In God we trust.
