Bayelsa acquires two aircraft for commercial flight operations

Bayelsa state government has acquired two aircraft to commence commercial flight operations at the state’s international airport.

Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa, spoke when he received Tin Louise-George, prime minister of the State of Africa in Diaspora, at the government house in Yenagoa.

According to a statement on Tuesday by Daniel Alabrah, chief press secretary, Diri said the aircraft, which are expected to arrive soon, will operate the Yenagoa–Lagos and Yenagoa–Abuja routes.

He said his administration is committed to making the Bayelsa International Airport fully operational and commercially viable.

”We are working on the airport in the area of ensuring there are regular, daily flights. We had an arrangement with a private airline, which we were supporting for flights to and fro Lagos and Abuja. But it got to a point where that arrangement almost collapsed and the airport became virtually non-functional,” the governor said.

“Now we have taken the bull by the horn, and as we speak we are expecting two aircraft, which government has already procured.

“These aircraft would operate daily flights to Lagos and Abuja. So wherever you have an airport, constant electricity and water, it is as good as any place you stay to eke out a living.”

Diri described the State of Africa in Diaspora as an “African government without borders,” noting that the state is open to partnerships in the areas of airport expansion and the development of a smart city.

“Talking about smart city, we are equally developing a new city called the New Yenagoa City. It is a place my team will take you to see what we are doing. That is the kind of place a smart city will be very okay for our people,” he said.

‘WE’RE READY TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF AIRPORT’

In his remarks, Louise-George said his visit to Bayelsa was to explore areas of collaboration in aviation, smart city development, education, and healthcare.

He said the State of Africa in Diaspora, recognised by the African Union (AU) as the sixth region of Africa, represents over 350 million people of African descent living outside the continent.

“Our objective is to reinforce Africa through the diaspora and the diaspora through Africa,” the prime minister said.

“We are ready to provide the resources to develop this airport, a smart city somewhere, education and a medical complex. We will be happy to contribute.”

Louise-George offered to provide development assistance and funding for specific projects in the state under a cooperation agreement.