The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has lifted its restriction on the use of the Maiduguri Airport as it acknowledges the ongoing rehabilitation of most of the
nation’s 21 airports by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).The NCAA boss, in company with the Deputy Governor, Borno State, Alhaji Adamu Shattima Yuda Dibal, the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun, and other top officials of agencies in the Ministry of Aviation, had on Friday inspected the Maiduguri Airport’s runway, shortly after the repair of its failed portions and other facilities by FAAN. Demuren, who spoke with journalists in Lagos, explained that by the latest action, the Maiduguri Airport could be used for the airlift of intending pilgrims to the Holy Land, beginning from Thursday November 6, 2008.
“The Maiduguri Airport joins the list of other eight airports, including those in Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, Yola, Gombe, Abuja, Minna, Lagos and Katsina, slated for the airlift of pilgrims in 2008”, he said. He further commended the management of FAAN for its doggedness in rehabilitating the nation’s airports, particularly those of Kaduna and Maiduguri after a directive by the Federal Government that the two airports should be put in proper shape expected of an ideal airport for international operations, and in preparations for the 2008 Hajj operations within two weeks.
According to him; the failed portion of the Kaduna Airport’s runway was repaired barely a week after the Federal Government gave the two-week ultimatum to FAAN.
Demuren explained that FAAN could not embark on the total resurfacing of the Maiduguri Airport like some airports this year because the agency could not access
the fund allocated to it in the outgoing year’s budget.
Speaking in the same vein, the Governor of Bornu State, Alhaji Bunu Sheriff, who had on Friday received the inspection team in his office in Maiduguri, expressed the willingness of his administration to further collaborate with FAAN and other aviation agencies towards improving on the lot of the airport in the interest of the country.
Sheriff also announced the donation of two fire fighting vehicles and an ambulance to FAAN for the use of the Maiduguri Airport, particularly in preparation for the forthcoming Hajj operation.
His words; “About 6,000 intending pilgrims from Bornu and Yobe States, including government officials, the governor revealed, were to be airlifted from the airport. The inaugural flight is expected to hold on Thursday November 6, 2008".
In his reaction, Aisuebeogun said the Maiduguri Airport has automatically been upgraded to Category 9 in terms of fire cover with the donation of two fire tenders in addition to the existing three at the airport, adding that with the status, the airport is safe and secured and could compete with any other in its category globally.
In addition to the earlier claim of the inability of FAAN to access fund in the 2008 budget for the total resurfacing of the airport’s runway and others, Aisuebeogun hinted that a complete overhaul of the runways of the Maiduguri and Kaduna airports and some others would be carried out in 2009 as contained in the appropriation for the year’s budget.
The FAAN boss hinted that as soon as his management was able to confirm that the particular proposal was captured in the appropriation for 2009 Budget, they will mobilise contractors through the tender process, saying that When a winner eventually emerges, they will ensure that the construction starts accordingly.
Aisuebeogun noted that apart from Maiduguri, Kaduna Airport is one of the airports they will carry out the total reconstruction of the runway, adding that they have already completed the tender process of the Enugu airport’s runway as contained in the 2008 Budget.
The FAAN boss expressed gratitude to the government of Bornu State for the support given the Authority, including the supply of diesel, at the Maiduguri Airport.
He also acknowledged the contribution of the former Minister of State for Aviation, Mr. Felix Hyatt, who he claimed “supported us enormously to ensure that the airport was not just closed but reopened within the period given us.
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