The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has given approval for the Bayelsa state-owned airport to begin commercial flight operations.
This was disclosed over the weekend by the NCAA Director-General, Capt. Musa Nuhu while presenting the agency’s approval letter to the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, at the Government House, Yenagoa, after the team had completed the mandatory inspection of the airport and its facilities.
It would be recalled that the which the NCAA said met all airspace standards and is one hundred per cent ready for daytime flight operations, was delivered by the immediate past administration of Seriake Dickson.
The NCAA DG also explained that the approval was sequel to the report of the agency’s inspection team which, prior to the visit, had certified that out of 29 gaps, the airport had been able to close 26.
While noting that other requirements were non-safety-related and that work was already in progress to achieve night flight operation, the DG said the agency had to limit flight operations to daytime, as the runway lights were still being installed, noting that once completed, full approval would be granted.
In his response, Diri said the issuing of the operational licence was a winding journey that began from the administration of his immediate predecessor to when he assumed office over a year ago.
He further commended his predecessor for his foresight in ensuring that the state had its own airport, adding that his administration would ensure that flight operations commenced as he set the machinery in motion to get the NCAA nod.
“As I came on board, having seen what he did, my administration had to cross the t’s and dot the I’s. Having been briefed on certain requirements, I wasted no time in approving what was necessary to ensure that the airport was ready for use. Today, we have the approval for the airport to commence commercial flight operation,” Diri added.
He appreciated the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, the NCAA DG and other officials for the approval, just as he stressed the significance of the Bayelsa airport, particularly in the South-South region that is the centre of oil and gas activities in the country.
“So, the Bayelsa airport is critical not only to Bayelsans but indeed the people of the South-South, South-East and by extension the nearby countries. We are on the border with the Gulf of Guinea,” he added.
