By Abasi Ita
The Bayelsa State Government has announced the acquisition of two aircraft to begin commercial flight operations at the Bayelsa International Airport.
Governor Douye Diri disclosed this on Monday when he received the Prime Minister of the State of Africa in Diaspora, Dr. Tin Louise-George, at the Government House in Yenagoa. He said the aircraft would soon arrive and operate regular flights between Yenagoa, Lagos and Abuja.
Diri explained that his administration was committed to making the state-owned airport fully operational and commercially viable. He said Bayelsa was open to strategic partnerships for the expansion of the airport and the development of a smart city to boost economic activities.
“I heartily welcome you and your team to Bayelsa,” the governor said. “Let me acknowledge that I had a fruitful virtual meeting with you and your team when I was recently in London, facilitated by my Technical Adviser, Prof. Oweikumo Eradiri.”
The governor described the State of Africa in Diaspora as an organisation similar to Doctors Without Borders, noting its cross-border focus on development and cooperation.
He further explained that the state previously had an arrangement with a private airline to operate flights between Yenagoa, Lagos and Abuja, but the deal eventually collapsed, leaving the airport underutilised.
“We have taken decisive steps to address that challenge,” Diri stated. “The government has procured two aircraft that will operate daily flights to Lagos and Abuja. Wherever there is a functional airport, steady power supply and water, people can comfortably live and thrive.”
Earlier in his remarks, Dr. Tin Louise-George said his visit to Bayelsa was aimed at exploring areas of collaboration in aviation, education, smart city development and healthcare.
He explained that the State of Africa in Diaspora was established following a 2003 resolution by African Union Heads of State, recognising the African diaspora as the continent’s sixth region.
According to him, about 350 million people of African descent live outside the continent, and his office, with the mandate of the African Union, is working to strengthen ties between Africa and its diaspora community.
Louise-George assured that the organisation would provide development support and funding for selected projects in Bayelsa through a cooperation agreement.