Governor Udom Emmanuel today received two of the three aircrafts acquired for the state airline, Ibom Air. This disclosure was made during during a co
Governor Udom Emmanuel today received two of the three aircrafts acquired for the state airline, Ibom Air. This disclosure was made during during a consultation visit to former Governor Victor Attah in his Shelter Afrique residence in Uyo. The aircrafts which will soon commence commercial activities to Lagos and Abuja have gotten the necessary clearance from the nation’s air authorities.
The State Commissioner for Special Duties and Aviation Development, Mr. Akan Okon said though the airline is exclusively owned by the Akwa Ibom State government, its management and operations would completely be professionals with world best practices. He said members of staff of the new airline, recruited strictly on merit have currently undergone training in their various areas of specialties, getting set to kick-start operations just as plans to expand its fleet is ongoing.
He noted that the state was the first and the only state that planned to build maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility, which is still on-going and trained so many of its youths in different fields of aviation. This, according to the source makes it easy to recruit those who benefitted from the training to work for the airline.
On the Victor Attah International Airport, Okon revealed that it has been upgraded to improve its standard with on-going second runway, new taxiway, a power sub-station, new commercial building and other unique features. Such improvements, he said made it possible for the landing of over 20 aircraft in the President’s entourage during the flag off of the APC presidential campaigns in Akwa Ibom for the south-south region.
He attributed the state government’s success in this direction to governor Udom Emmanuel whom he said has consistently made what may appear impossible to others, a possibility in the state. Okon, also applauded the Director of Air Worthiness of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Engr Ita Awak, for his role in ensuring ease of operations and the actualization of the purpose for which Ibom Airport was established.
Concluding, he said, Ibom Air is a culmination of the aspiration of the state to play a significant role in the nation’s aviation industry.
