N39 bn Yobe Cargo Airport to Commence Commercial Operation – MD
By Muhammad Maitela, Damaturu
The Managing Director, Damaturu International Cargo Airport, Engr. Muhammad Surajo Wakil, says the Airport will commence commercial operations soon.
Muhammad Surajo told journalists while on tour of the facility in Damaturu, said the will satisfy the commercial needs of the people, create more jobs and contribute to the state’s economy.
In his comment, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Energy, Engr Isyaka Lawan, said N39 billion was spent on the construction of the airport, which was started in 2007.
“Ninety five per cent of the project has been completed which include terminal building, runway, control tower, fire station, powerhouse, administrative block, and maintenance office,’’ he said.
He added that the airport’s runway is among the longest and well-constructed in the country.
“It stretches 3.3 kilometers with 250-meter buffers on either end, bringing the total length to 4.1 kilometers,” He said.
The permanent secretary explained that the decision to construct the cargo airport stemmed from the absence of such facility in the North-East region.
“Being an agrarian state, Yobe is expected to benefit significantly from the airport’s ability to boost economic activities.
“An abundance of exportable crops like beans, groundnut, and sesame seeds are produced in the state,” he said.
He also said that neighboring states could utilise the airport to transport goods to all parts of the world.
