By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
Contracts have been reactivated for the completion of the Maintenance Repairs and Overhaul, MRO, facility and other works at the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo.
Similarly, plans have been concluded to ensure flights operations by Ibom Air at the Enugu International Airport later this month.
Governor Udom Emmanuel made these disclosures while unveiling a new Bombardier CRJ900, with registration number 5N-BXO, the latest addition to the fleet of the Akwa Ibom State-owned airline, Ibom Air.
The developments at the State-owned airport, Emmanuel maintained, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to making Akwa Ibom an aviation hub for Nigeria and West Africa.
The Governor assured that the new international terminal building currently under construction, is designed to meet the highest intelligence, smart standard and would match any of the internationally ranked terminals when completed.
Welcoming the new aircraft, He expressed delight for the addition and thanked God that while others are battling with the doomsday occasioned by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Akwa Ibom people are celebrating expansion in their aviation business.
“On behalf of the government and people of Akwa Ibom State, including those in the diaspora, we appreciate God and everyone who has contributed in making this possible and we look forward to many more.We welcome the latest in our fleet, registration number 5N-BXO, COVID-19 compliant.” Emmanuel said.
The Governor commended the Management and staff of Ibom Air for their commitment and show of professionalism, as he announced the assumption of duty of Ibom Air’s first female pilot, Captain Ruth Adebanwo, as pilot of the new aircraft.
He described the accolades already trailing the qualitative customer service in the state-owned airlines as expected, stating that Ibom Air has already surpassed the customer satisfaction benchmark and now building customer enthusiasm as a stock in trade.
Earlier in his remarks, Chairman, Ibom Airport Development Company Limited, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga Rtd., said “…we still have MRO, we still have the cargo coming up, and we have the Ibom International Terminal we have so many things coming up at this airport how else could one define progress, how else could you define governance more than what we are witnessing?
