Niger State Government has disclosed that it has opened talks with private airline operators with a view to commencing commercial flight operations in the state.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago disclosed this over the weekend when he inspected the ongoing reconstruction of the runway and terminal projects at the Minna Airport.
The Governor, who expressed concern over the slow pace of work on the terminal, said the state government will invite the contractor and see how it will take over the project for immediate completion.
He said the completion of the terminal would set the ball rolling for the state to commence commercial flight operations in the state.
“As a state government we want to invite the contractor to see how we can intervene and if possible, take over the job so that we can have a terminal and functional airport.
“It’s our desire to provide commercial flight, and we are talking to some private airline operators to come to Niger state”, he said.
On the runway project, the Governor expressed delight with the quality of job done and said he is optimistic that the work will be handed over before 15th of August, 2023.
The contractor handling the runway project assured that he will meet up with the date as asphalt will be laid by Tuesday this week adding that it would be ready for aircraft to land on it safely as from the 16th of this month.
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