Governors of the six states in Nigeria’s North-East region have agreed to contribute N5 billion each for the purchase of two aircraft to establish a regional air shuttle aimed at improving air transportation.
The disclosure was made on Wednesday by the Gombe State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Muhammad Magaji, after the State Executive Council meeting in Gombe.
Mr Magaji said the council approved N5 billion as Gombe State’s contribution toward the project, adding that the payment would be made immediately to meet the agreed deadline.
According to him, the initiative began in 2020 when the six states jointly paid N69 million for consultancy services for the proposed regional shuttle.
“The six governors of the North-East states agreed that there is a need for the region to have a Northeast shuttle, that is, an airline,” he said.
He explained that the states resolved to contribute N5 billion each, bringing the total to N30 billion, for the purchase of two aircraft that would serve the North-East and other parts of the country.
Mr Magaji noted that the governors considered borrowing $20 million for the aircraft purchase but eventually opted for direct contributions from the states.
He said the airline would help stabilise air transportation in the region, which has often suffered from airlines withdrawing services.
“Most of the time, airlines come into the North-East and for one reason or the other, they pull out. This is our own airline; it would remain with us to serve the North-East and even others outside the North-East,” he said.
In a related development, the Gombe State Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transportation, Usman Kallamu, said the council also approved N669 million for the upgrade of facilities at the state airport in the Lawanti community.
Mr Kallamu said the airport, built in 2005 and inaugurated in 2008, had not undergone any major upgrade, necessitating the renovation and construction of new facilities, including an administrative block and modern toilet facilities to replace obsolete structures.
About The Author
More Stories
Nestlé Begins Global Recall for Baby Formula Amid Contamination Concerns
KPMG flags five major ‘errors’ in Nigerian tax laws
Trump says Venezuela will provide 30–50 million barrels of oil to the U.S, with proceeds to benefit both countries