By Adams Akorede
The Managing Director of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Captain Rabiu Yadudu has sought for collaboration of the Oyo state government to uplift the standard of the Ibadan Airport.
Yadudu made the request on Wednesday when he and other top management of FAAN paid a courtesy visit to Governor Seyi Makinde in his office, in Ibadan.
He urged the governor to assist in resolving some of the challenges such as issue of encroachment, security among others, confronting the airport
According to him, the Ibadan airport has been facing certain unique challenges over the years in the course of carrying out our work, which need the kind intervention of the state governor.
He said the management of FAAN had already written letter to the governor on areas of assistance and pleaded with him to consider the request of FAAN.
He posited that resolution of the challenges would not only enhance the operation and service delivery of FAAN but empower the airport economically and create opportunities for businesses to thrive.
He informed the governor that a particular company – Maintenance and Repair Organisation for aircrafts, had shown interest to relocate from Lagos airport to Ibadan airport.
He said the relocation of the company would boost the economy of the airport once the challenges facing the airport were resolved.
He thanked and appreciated the people and government of the state for their support and patronage since the inception of the Airport 37 years ago.
”Since this time, the management of FAAN has been working consistently to improve the quality and capacity in all aspect of our service quality delivery which include our personnel and our structures, equipment and procedures.
”We will keep doing this towards achieving our mission and vision as professional airport operator.” Yadudu stated.
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He assured the governor and the other stakeholders of the commitment of FAAN to achieve and sustain its service delivery target.
In his response, Gov Makinde stressed on the importance if the Ibadan Airport to the economy of the state and promised to collaborate with FAAN on how to resolve the challenges facing the airport.
The governor said he had received a letter from the FAAN management as regards some challenges confronting the airport and promised to act on the letter.
Makinde further said ”I have made some promises about the airport; I promised this year pilgrims that intending pilgrims will fly from the Ibadan airport directly to the holy land from next year and I count on FAAN to make this promise achievable.
”We are also thinking of expanding the runway to make it easy for bigger crafts to operate at the airport, and I promise to partner with FAAN to make it happen.” He stated
”If the runway can be expanded then, having cargo aircraft schedule at the airport would be facilitated, stressing the state government was ready to put its money to make things happen at the airport.”
