The Delta State Government said it has concluded arrangements to upgrade the Asaba Airport in line with the directives of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
The NCAA had downgraded Asaba Airport following a directive for the rehabilitation of the existing runway, taxiways and the construction of perimeter fence, as well as training of technical personnel.
The state Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah, in a statement on Wednesday, said the issues raised by the NCAA had been known to the state government, which had already set in motion the machinery for effecting the upgrade demanded by the regulatory agency.
He said: “First, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has approved the rehabilitation of the runway and taxiways in the airport.
“Similarly, the governor has approved the engagement of a seasoned consultant to supervise the rehabilitation exercise. However, being a public sector project, extant rules on procurement and due process will be strictly adhered to. This may, at the initial stage, impact on the commencement of the project.”
Ogeah further stated that the government is vigorously processing the mobilisation of the contractor and the consultant for the job to commence in earnest.
According to him, work on the perimeter fencing has commenced, adding that there is additional acquisition of over 400 hectares of adjoining land, which has increased the scope of work.
To boost security within the airport axis, the government has employed 20 security guards to carry out routine surveillance of the airside.
On the training of requisite technical personnel, Ogeah pointed out that all the staff recently employed by the state government have undergone the four-week mandatory basic training at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Training School, Lagos, in 2013.
Arrangement has reached advanced stage for sending them on specialised training relevant to their various departments.
He noted that airports are permanent construction sites the world over and regulatory agencies which in Nigeria is the NCAA have the mandate to oversee all the airports and may from time to time raise any concerns thereof.
He also pointed out that the downgrade in the status of Asaba Airport has not in any way affected the operation of scheduled commercial flights in and out of the airport.
Arik Air, Aero Contractors and Overland Air, which operate scheduled daily flights, have since deployed the right aircraft specification and are providing seamless services to passengers.
The statement by Ogeah added: “We hereby assure the general public that the Delta State Government is committed to effecting the upgrade of the facilities directed by the NCAA promptly and the status of Asaba Airport will soon be restored to accommodate bigger jets such as the Boeing 737.
“It should also be noted that government, being a continuum, the coming of a new administration on May 29 will in no way affect the schedule and timeliness of the facility upgrade. Wherever the upgrade exercise is by May 29, the coming government of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa will see the project through.
“The airport is critical to consolidating the emerging economic frontier created by the airport which has become one of the few viable ones in the country.”
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