From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the federal government’s “takeover” of the Gombe State Airport.
Gombe Governor Muhammad Yahaya made the disclosure Friday to State House Correspondents shortly after an audience with the President at the Aso Rock Villa.
He explained that the move would ensure the availability of funds to maintain the facility throughout the lifespan of its operation.
Recall that in June, officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had inspected facilities at the Gombe International Airport and certified it for the airlift of Muslim pilgrims in the State to Saudi Arabia.
According to the governor, “the most important development is the takeover of the Gombe Airport by the federal government, which Mr President has approved.
“Already, the Nigerian Air Force is building an Air Force base in the airport premises and with the takeover, it means there will be more facilities and management, especially since the airports are under the exclusive lease of the constitution. It means there will be more resources and there’ll be proper management. And we shall see to the fact that it is expanded, so that economic activity will be enhanced because of the presence of the airport, it has other facilities that will enhance business activities around.”