From Henry Ibya, Makurdi
With less than two months to the expiration of Governor Samuel Ortom’s administration, the Benue State executive council Wednesday, approved the establishment of a civil aviation airport to be sited at Kura community along Naka- Adoka road in Makurdi.
This followed an approval government has secured from the Nigerian Airport Authority, NAA. Commissioner for information, culture and tourism Mr Mike Inalegwu who disclosed this while briefing journalists after the state executive council meeting held at government house presided over by governor Samuel Ortom said the airport will benefit both manufacturers and large scale farmers as well as put the state economy on the global market.
He said that government was a continuety, pointing out that whatever the administration was able to do regarding the project at the moment would serve as a foundation for the in coming administration to build on.
Mr Inalegwu also disclosed that the state executive council has concluded arrangement with a Nigerian air carrier Air Peace to commence flight operations in the state from April 17.
The information and culture Commissioner who said Benue people have yearned for flight operations for so long owing to general insecurity on the roads which has made travellers not to feel safe, while traveling said the air company when it commence operations will ply Makurdi to Abuja and Abuja to Makurdi at least three times a week, adding that a review of operations would be carried out subsequently depending on patronage.
The inclusive meeting which the commissioner said reviewed activities of the transition committee to ensure a smooth handover to another administration come May 29,Mr Inalegwu said council will reconvene Thursday, adding that based on the report received so far the transition committee was making progress.