By ISAAC OLUSESI
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CITA ENERGIES has taken a penetrating look at lopsidedness in the spread of international airports in Nigeria without one in the North-east region and described the newly transformed Maiduguri Airport to international standard as a brave and determined effort of the federal government to revamp the region from stunted growth and development of the past, caused by its history of challenges and stagnations from insurgencies.
Dr Thomas Ogungbangbe stated this, Friday evening, during extraordinary briefings with the management of the company in Lagos, ostensibly, reacting on the Maiduguri airport in the North-east region, redesigned to international standard by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He lauded the federal government on the new status of the airport, depiciting it as a strategic decision to drive economic growth by facilitating the region’s connectivity with foreign trade, investment, tourism, cultural exchange, education, and employment opportunities in aviation, logistics and hospitality industries.
According to Ogungbangbe who’s also the Chairman of Aviation Fuel Marketers Association of Nigeria (AFMAN), a major stakeholder in aviation industry, the new international airport in Maiduguri will, in earnest result in substantial facelifts, as the new status of the airport opens up the North-east region to developments by providing access to remote areas, promoting economic progress and reducing poverty.
The latest upgrade brings the number of international airports in Nigeria to six with one in each of the six geopolitical zones of South-west, South-east, South-south, North-central, North-west, and North-east, capable of handling international flights, cargoes and passengers.
Ogungbangbe, the All Progressive Congress (APC) faithful from Osun East Senatorial District, cautioned on national security in the North-east host to the new international airport, asking for standby security surveillance and humanitarian assistance in case of emergency around the new international airport in the region.
He called for financial sustainability of the newly updated airport, expected to feature sleek terminals, advanced security system, other state-of-the-art facilities, technology, infrastructure and enhanced passenger amenities for improved efficiency, comfort and travel experience.
And he opined that the new Maiduguri international airport will benefit from the robust regulatory framework of global network for international airports, to ensure compliance with global aviation standards, safety, protocols, security, and environmental impact regulations.
OLUSESI writes via isaacolusesi@gmail.com
