By Olukayode Idowu
Yobe State Government has revealed that the Damaturu International Cargo Airport would soon commenced commercial operations.
Speaking to journalists at the airport in Damaturu, the Managing Director of the airport, Engr. Muhammad Surajo Wakil said all that is needed to commence commercial operations was almost ready.
Surajo when fully operational, the airport will create more job for the people especially the state indigenes and contribute to the state’s economy.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Energy, Engr. Isyaka Lawan, revealed that N39 billion was spent to execute the project since 2007.
He added that the airport’s runway is probably the longest and well-constructed in the country.
He revealed that: “Ninety five per cent of the project had been completed which include a terminal building, runway, control tower, fire station, powerhouse, administrative block, and maintenance office.
“It stretches 3.3 kilometres with 250-metre buffers on either end, bringing the total length to 4.1 kilometres”, he added.
The permanent secretary explained that the decision to construct the cargo airport stemmed from the absence of such facilities in the North-East region.
He said: “Being an agrarian state, Yobe is expected to benefit significantly from the airport’s ability to boost economic activities,” noting that: “An abundance of exportable crops like beans, groundnut, and sesame seeds are produced in the state.”
He, however, noted that neighboring states could utilise the airport to transport goods to other parts of the country and the rest of the world.