Bayelsa Int’l Airport: Gov Dickson Seeks Security, Technical Support, Others From Air Force

…Says Project Is Bayelsa’s Single Most Ambitious, Biggest Investment

By Pat PA Okon


Bayelsa State Governor, Honourable Seriake Dickson on Monday, sought the collaboration of the Nigerian Air Force in the area of providing security, technical assistance and other forms of support to facilitate the smooth take off of the state international airport, scheduled for commissioning soon.

Governor Dickson, who made the appeal when he received the Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command, Air Vice Marshall, Napoleon Bali, who paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa, said the partnership has become imperative, especially at a time, when the facility is nearing completion.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Francis Ottah Agbo, quoted Governor Dickson, as describing the airport as the single most ambitious and biggest project in the state, noted that, the airport facility would serve as a gateway to the world and make Bayelsa a hub for businesses and other social activities.

According to the Governor, "With the virtual completion of the airport, I will formally communicate to you so that you can begin to take steps to secure the airport infrastructure, which is the single most ambitious and biggest project in the state.

Congratulating Air Vice Marshall Bali on his new posting to the state, Governor Dickson described him, as a brilliant military officer, who has distinguished himself in the service of his fatherland and commended his choice to take charge of the critical command for the security and stability of Bayelsa and the entire Niger Delta region.

"This state is home to you, particularly at this time that we are opening up our state to the world, and getting the world to visit us by means of the airport project. It is very refreshing that we have a reliable partner in the Mobility Air Command, especially under your leadership, so we are very grateful to have you at this critical point in time.

"And, I know that having you and your officers and men here, we call on you and the Nigerian Air Force generally, to put in place the mechanism for supporting the take-off, running and operations of our airport facility. With the virtual completion of the airport, I will have to formally communicate to you, so that you can begin to take steps to secure the airport infrastructure, which is our single biggest infrastructure project in the state, having a 3.5-kilometre runway in this terrain.

"We know what we went through in the construction of the airport project "Will be having those discussions with you and also communicating to the Chief of Air Staff to request for all support, technical and otherwise. We are expecting that, Mr. President will be here in the month of August or September subject to his convenience to officially flag off the project."

Governor Dickson, who also lauded the efforts of the various law enforcement agencies in the state for their contributions to securing the state, urged the people of the state to work together to promote peace and stability of the state.

Earlier, Air Vice Marshall Napoleon Bali, who had assured the state governor of his readiness to contribute to the improvement of the existing security architecture, said the visit was to formally inform the Governor of his assumption of office as the new Air Officer Commanding the Mobility Command.

He gave thumbs up to Governor Dickson for his achievements in office, especially in the area of infrastructural development, describing the international airport and new Governor's office, as star projects that would enhance the status of Bayelsa State.

AVM Bali, an indigene of Lantang, in Plateau State, was a Commander of the Presidential Air fleet, Director Operations, Defence Headquarters, Abuja and until his new appointment, a Director of Operations, Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force.