BY JIMIN GEOFFREY, MAKURDI – After a long drawn delay, civil flight operations are set to soon resume at the Military Airport in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
This was sequel to the signing of a ‘Joint Use Agreement’ between the Nigeria Air Force (NAF), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
The ceremony which held at the New Banquet Hall of Benue Peoples House Makurdi was witnessed by the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom and other top government officials.
Governor Samuel Ortom in a remark, described the event as epoch making, adding that many had wished they had access to the state but couldn’t due to lack of commercial flights and deplorable state of roads.
Ortom, who acknowledged the tremendous support of the Nigerian Air Force to the state in areas of security, education, health among others, noted that the stoppage of civil flight operations was due to lack of proper documentation.
Also speaking, the representative of the Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Training and Operations Headquarters, Air Vice Marshall James Gwani, said the civil flight operations is part of their corporate social responsibility and civil-military relationship, pointing out that economic and social benefits will be enormous.
Similarly, the Company Secretary and Legal Adviser of FAAN, Dr Clifford Omozeghian, who represented the Managing Director of FAAN said the Authority’s management is passionate about the opening of the Makurdi NAF Aerodrome for civil operations.
He commended the efforts of the Chief of Air Staff and Governor Ortom towards the actualisation of the re-opening of the Makurdi NAF Aerodrome for civil flight operations, saying that it is an expression of sensitivity to the people’s aspirations.
Omozeghian pledged the commitment of FAAN to its responsibilities as stated in the Joint Use Agreement to guarantee the development potentials of Benue and benefits of users.
Civil flight operations according to him include commercial flights, VIP flights, agricultural flights, airlift of electoral materials and staff, medical and emergency patients and personnel as well as airlift of relief materials.
Speaking in turn, the representative of Air Peace, Ayodeji Ayodele said with the signing of the Joint Use Agreement, Air Peace will be part of the December Flight Schedule in and out of Makurdi.
Director Legal and Secretary NiMet, Mr Ahmed Abdu and Legal Adviser NAMA, Dr Mrs Aver Gbem signed for their agencies respectively.
