[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Honourable Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has commended Delta State Government for the standard of facilities at the Asaba International Airport, and assured the travelling public that the airport will soon become one of the major commercial hubs in the country.
He gave the assurance last Sunday September 1, 2019 after inspecting the upgraded facilities at the airport in preparation for full scale flight operations from Asaba to various destinations within and outside Nigeria, as Air Peace and other local and international airlines speeds up negotiations to commence frequent flight operations into and out of Asaba Airport.
Sirika disclosed that the concesioning process of the airport was transparent and credible in line with federal government’s approved procedures contained in the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) guidelines, adding that Gov Okowa ensured that the process was neither hijacked nor compromised.
“I am overwhelmed and happy because what is on ground here at Asaba Airport are facilities of international standard. As a Ministry, we are satisfied which is why full scale commercial flight operations is expected to commence anytime soon.
“We held series of meetings with official of the state government and I am glad that the state did the needful by complying with the standards required for this airport to be granted the necessary certification for full scale domestic and international flight operations.
“I am happy to inform you, gentlemen of the press, and by extension the travelling public that Asaba Airport is super ready, safe and well equipped for business and one of the major airlines indicated interest to move their operational base to Asaba Airport.
“We hope and pray that in the near future the feeder commercial airline and other stakeholders in the aviation industry shall partner with Delta State Government and the private sector to make this airport one of the busiest facilities in commercial aviation business in Sub Sahara Africa.
“As a Ministry, we deeply appreciate the visionary leadership and integrity of the state governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, for the transparent and credible process during the airport concession phases, and I am told that some of the governor’s friends participated went but unfortunately they did not succeed, which is a clear indication that the process was excellent and accepted to all concerned including the federal government,” the aviation Minister said.
The Minister and his team were conducted round the Asaba Airport facilities by the State Commissioner for Information, Hon Charles Aniagwu and other top government officials.