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Tag: Bayelsa airport

  • Functional Bayelsa Airport and the new vista of opportunities

    Functional Bayelsa Airport and the new vista of opportunities

    • By Jonah Okah

    FOR some time, the plan by the Bayelsa State government to acquire aircraft at the cost of N25billion has generated mixed reactions. The project which was approved by the State Executive Council (SEC) and the House of Assembly has been misconstrued in many quarters. For development enthusiasts, the plan should be applauded instead of being used for making political capital by opposition groups.

    It is understandable that the attack inspired by a handful of opposition elements in the state, describing it as a misplaced priority was not properly viewed from the broad spectrum.

    Governor Douye Diri, known for his tolerance of opposition and dissenting views, took such criticisms with equanimity with an uncommon determination to leave behind life-transforming legacy projects, with a strong conviction that he would eventually be remembered for positive impact in the fullness of time.

    The idea to build an international airport in Bayelsa dates back to the administration of Chief Timipre Sylva between 2007 and 2012.

    As governor, Sylva embarked on the project by expending huge resources on contractors for only clearing of the old site around the Okordia-Zarama; yet the project never saw light of day until he left office. While the resources expended on the clearing of the old site went down the drain, when the immediate past Governor Henry Seriake Dickson came on board, he nurtured the idea to reality, by placing it among his key priorities.

    The airport project was executed to advanced stage by Dickson while his successor Diri took it to completion about three years ago in the spirit of continuity and for the overall benefit of Bayelsans.

    The state of fanfare was overwhelming when Diri commissioned the airport with commercial flight operations when a United Nigeria Airline aircraft touched down at about 3:45pm on that fateful day.

    The aircraft which took off from the Murtala Muhammed 2 Airport in Lagos had on board Diri, the airline chairman’s, Chief Obiora Okonkwo, Tokyo Olympics silver medalist in wrestling, Blessing Oborududu, King Alfred Diete Spiff, Boladei Igali, representatives of state at the National Assembly, State House of Assembly members, commissioners among other prominent leaders of the state.

    It was a historic moment as a mammoth crowd of jubilant Bayelsans thronged the airport to witness the historic event.

    The delighted governor could not hold back his joy, when he noted that, “the commencement of the commercial flight signalled economic development of the state, bringing Bayelsa to the world and the world to the state”.

    He further said: “This significant event is the culmination of the aspirations birthed by former state governor late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, which was eventually built by Senator Seriake Dickson, my predecessor. And it is under my administration that this project was crystalised. This is a demonstration that teamwork truly works”.

    The runway was described by the pilot of United Nigeria Airline as one of the best in the country. An elated Diri expressed his determination to make Bayelsa truly ‘the Glory of All Lands’ and the state a construction site.

    This is where critics of the N25billion approved by the State Executive Council to procure aircraft missed the point in their arm-twisting and distractive criticisms. Rather than appreciating the vision, short term and long term benefits of the project, they have resorted to making cheap political capital out of nothing. The truth remains that it is a project of necessity and not for ostentatious expenditure on recurrent matters.

    Read Also: Inside the plight of Bayelsa’s oil-producing communities

    It is in this vein that Diri needs to be appreciated over the futuristic initiative that air transportation will open up the state to the rest of the world, measured in terms of attracting investors coming to take advantage of the investment opportunities that abound in the state, particularly in the area of oil and gas and other comparative advantages in fishery.

    It will further complement land and sea transportation, particularly the proposed Agge Seaport at Ekeremor area of the state.

    In the broad sense, the project will go a long way to propel Bayelsa to becoming the fastest growing economy in the West African sub region, a state which ranks top in the nation’s production of oil and gas. Investors will not go through the trouble of coming to the state via the Port Harcourt airport, as the new airport provides the much-needed direct flight.

    Besides the fact that the aircraft will serve as a huge asset for revenue generation, rather than a liability as erroneously being perceived by critics, the planes will reduce the cost of depending on hired aircraft for operational purposes, making the service epileptic to passengers.

    There is no doubt Bayelsa is endowed with tourism potentials. It is a fact too that tourism is all about celebration of infrastructure, of which transportation is a critical component. So, it is not an overstatement to say that the state government’s bold initiative to acquire aircraft for commercial operations is indeed a project critical to the shared vision of Bayelsans towards making the state a tourist destination and hub of business.

    All over the world, air transportation is the fastest means of connecting regions and Bayelsa cannot be left out in connecting the world to the state, which the people of the state stand to reap the multiplier benefits of having a large source of revenue generation.

    Moreover, we are in era of placing premium on exploring the non-oil sector, rather than depending on allocation from the central government with cap in hand. Therefore, with the state-owned aircraft, it will be a new dawn, as the state  will  not only proudly join the international committee of airline operators, it will also open a new vista of business opportunities and will definitely place the economic openings in the state on the world map.

    Contrary to the stereotyped opinions that it is not a priority project, critics should be told that the aircraft had already created employment opportunities for brothers and sisters of the critics Bayelsa. It has taken off the streets several unemployed youths that were loitering in search of jobs, who have been fully engaged.

    The former first military governor of old Rivers State and Amayanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff aptly said: “With the airport in place, it will open a plethora of economic opportunities and place the state on the world map.”

    The critics will definitely agree that Diri has made a bold statement in governance, that it is not all about wasting fund or sharing fund to every household, but the sheer determination to create the enabling environment for a public-private partnership enterprise to thrive for the sustainable development of the state for which dividends are already trickling in.

    The fact remains that Diri has an eye on history and the indices of his infrastructure development point to the fact that the fair judgment of history will certainly smile at him in the fullness of time.

    Therefore, the plan to acquire new aircraft for commercial operations is a project well-placed to provide a new vista of opportunities for the overall development of Bayelsa State.

    • Okah, a journalist/development enthusiast wrote from Yenagoa.

  • Bayelsa airport to begin commercial flights in two months

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has said the Bayelsa International Cargo/Passenger Airport would begin commercial flight operations in about two months.

    A statement by his media aide, Fidelis Soriwei, said Dickson spoke when the Air Officer Commanding Mobility Command, Yenagoa, Air Vice Marshall Uburufih Peter-Uzezi and top officials visited him at the Government House in Yenagoa.

    According to the governor, the government is intensifying efforts to complete the airport fencing to prevent animals from straying into the runway. Flights would come in from Abuja and Lagos.

    Dickson, who praised the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, for the partnership to secure the airport by deploying its personnel in the facility, also lauded officers and men of the force for their exemplary conduct and professionalism during the last election.

    According to him, personnel of the Air Force showed that they are disciplined, well-trained and are alive to their duties, the people, country and their own code of conduct.

    The statement reads: “During the elections, soldiers turned themselves into agents of political actors. May that day never come in our country when all organs, especially of the security apparatus, will or are expected to become political operators; may that day never come in this country.

    “Time and time again, I have had the unpleasant duty of leading and mobilising this state for peaceful elections, only to be confronted by agents of the Nigerian state that should be apolitical, playing active political roles, killing, maiming and terrorising our people.”

    Read also: Bayelsa recovers N2.2bn from public sector reforms

    Dickson, who also received the new Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Rear Admiral Akinjide Akinrinade, however assured that the government would continue to partner all arms of the military and security services to ensure peace, stability and development of the state.

    Air Vice Marshall Peter-Uzezi said the Air Force would soon start flying its planes into the Bayelsa International Cargo Airport to create confidence for flight operators and to show that the facility is safe for business.

    He praised Dickson for his development strides in the state, including the construction of the airport with the longest runway in the country and for partnering the Air Force and its sister organisations.

    The Air man, however, appealed for funds to complete the Community Secondary School in Zarama, Biseni, Yenagoa Local Government Area, which was offered to the Air Force to cite a Comprehensive Secondary School, expected to resume academic work in September.

  • First aircraft lands in Bayelsa airport

    Twenty-three years after it was created, the first aircraft landed yesterday at the Bayelsa State International Airport.

    According to Governor Seriake Dickson, it is the first aircraft to land in any airport in Izon land, the heartland of the Ijaw.

    The 3.5 kilometre runway airport, Dickson said, was built at over N65 billion.

    He said the clarification was important because of Senator Heineken Logbobiri’s statements which said the project cost between N120 to N150 billion.

    Dickson, who spoke when an Air Peace Embraer Regional Jet landed at the runway, said the facility will open the state to the world by attracting investments; export of agricultural produce; tourism and other economic activities.

    The governor said he was more than excited to receive the first aircraft into the airport as a Valentine gift to the people.

    According to him, the project was conceived, developed and built with scarce resources. He added that its completion is part of his administration’s promise to accelerate the economic development of Bayelsa, which deserves a better deal in the Nigerian project.

    The governor hailed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for approving the project.

    Chief Operating Officer of Air Peace Mrs. Toyin Olajide hailed the government for the feat. She promised that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the state will facilitate regular flight services on the route.

    She urged people to take advantage of the fight services to stimulate business.

     

  • First aircraft lands in Bayelsa International Airport

    …..Governor Dickson says airport built with N65b

    ….Faults claim by Senator Heineken Logbobiri

    Twenty-three years after it was created the first aircraft on Thursday landed at the Bayelsa State International Airport.

    The 3.5 kilometer runway airport according to the Governor, Seriake Dickson was built at the cost of over N65 billion.

    Dickson said it is the first aircraft to land in any airport in Izon land, the heartland of the Ijaws.

    He said the clarification over the cost of the airport project had become imperative because of allegations peddled by Senator Heineken Logbobiri who said the project gulped between N120 to N150 billion.

    The senator had alleged that the airport was flooded.

    Speaking at the airport when an Air Peace Embraer Regional Jet that flew from Lagos landed at the runway, to the tumultuous welcome of Bayelsa indigenes, Dickson said the facility will open the state to the world; through attraction of investments; export of agricultural produce; tourism and other economic activities.

    Dickson said he was more than excited to receive the first aircraft into the airport as a Valentine gift to the good people of the state as well as a fitting achievement to commemorate the seven years anniversary of Bayelsa.

    He said the project was conceived, developed and built with scarce resources from Bayelsa State Government at austere times like this.

    He said its completion is part of the promise of his administration to accelerate the economic development of Bayelsa State, which deserves a better deal in the Nigerian project.

    He said the airport will resolve inconveniences associated with connecting flights by Bayelsans through neighboring states.

    Dickson said the Federal Government which promised to build an airport terminal in the state reneged in its promise, a development, he said pushed his administration to think out of the box to deliver the project.

    He said previous efforts by other governors to have done this did not materialize, hence the zeal and deterministic. By his administration to complete the airport in record time.

    Though the airport has not been officially commissioned, Dickson said a date will be fixed to celebrate the infrastructural revolution in Bayelsa State.

    Dickson said the airport will generate jobs for thousands of Bayelsa indigenes and others who are poised to contribute to the economic development of the state.

    He said though work in progress , some issues about the airport concerning compensation to host communities and contractors were yet to be resolved.

    He commended aviation agencies including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN) and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) for this cooperation and relevant approval for the project.

    Also speaking, the Chief Operating Officer, Air Peace, Mrs Toyin Olajide commended Bayelsa State Government for the feat assuring that the Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU) signed with the state will facilitate regular flight services on the route.

    She urged people of the state to take advantage of the fight services to stimulate business for the state.

    She said the airline like the state government has scored many firsts by venturing into feats that have accelerated economic growth for Nigeria.

    Also speaking, Senator Ben Murray Bruce said Bayelsa International Airport will stimulate economic growth for the state ; attract investment opportunities and boost tourism.

  • SAHCOL inspects Bayelsa airport for investments

    An aviation ground handling service provider, Skyway Aviation Handling Limited (SAHCOL),  yesterday inspected the Bayelsa Cargo International Airport to evaluate investment opportunities.

    Speaking at the airport in Amassoma, Sotuthern Ijaw, the company’s Director,  Dr. Olu Owolabi, hailed the facilities at the airport, and said SAHCOL would partner the government.

    He described the facility as marvellous, noting that the airport will generate income and create jobs for the people of Bayelsa state.

    “On behalf of SACHOL, our team is here to see what is going on, we should commend the Governor. This is what people will enjoy for the next 20, 30, 40 years and above. It is a massive set up.

    “ The governor will do his best but there is still more to do to implement his dream. It is a good dream and I’m very impressed. Don’t forget that we have the best warehouse in Africa.

    ”Everybody is gearing up now for export; food export, crops and every other thing. And I think he (Dickson) has started well.  For the Bayelsa people, you can imagine after the whole thing  has been completed, how many Bayelsans will be employed here”, he noted.

    He said he was in the state to check facilities and to locate where the cargo warehouse would be situated.

    He added: “ The cargo warehouse itself is a village on its own. Go to Dubai, London, all the places when you ask for cargo building it is a village of its own just like Lagos. It is a village of its own; and then you have the passenger terminal, you have the international terminal coming up. So, it’s a good dream.”

    Also speaking, Director-General, Bayelsa Investment and Promotion Agency Patience Ranami-Abah urged investors to take advantage of the airport facility.

    She said: “This airport holds tremendous opportunities. This is not just about cargo , there will be airplane hangars, maintenance, supply opportunities, logistics, retail and even hotel facilities around here.

    “ This encompasses 1,400 hectares which will comprise the airport, eco-industrial city and power hub. It will also boost the industrialisation of not just Bayelsa, but serve as a link between the entire South South and South East.

    “Goods will now be easily evacuated because of their sensitive nature in terms of perishability. And this is one of the reasons the SAHCOL team is here”, she said.

    Also, Managing Director of Bayelsa Airlines Henry Ungbuku promised that soon Internally Generated Revenue received from oil and gas will be dwarfed by returns from the airport investment.

    “ That is why we are bringing in the best company in terms of export. We are talking about a lot of money, not from passengers , but from cargo. This will make Bayelsa viable. We are ready,” he said.