The Asagba of Asaba, Prof Epiphany Azinge has made a case for increased flight to Asaba Airport because of its strategic economic importance.
Azinge made the request when he and some royal and political parsonages from Delta State visited the minister of aviation and aerospace development, Mr Festus Keyamo in Abuja recently.
He urged the minister to pull some strings to facilitate the growth of flight operations in Asaba, transforming it into an international airport capable of accommodating regular international flights and serving as a transit hub for large aircraft staying overnight.
He also highlighted the growing pool of young pilots in the state and prayed Keyamo to use the government’s channel to assist them.
He commended the minister for his transformative initiatives in the aviation sector, particularly in the advancement of aviation infrastructure in Nigeria. Responding, Keyamo pledged to ensure that the Asagba’s requests were prioritised and met, emphasizing that as a Delta indigene and a cabinet member, he would personally oversee the progress of all matters raised in a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
On the specific issue of Asaba Airport, the minister acknowledged the strategic location and potential of the airport and agreed that it should be the eastern hub of aviation in Nigeria.
He assured the Asagba that discussions with airport concessionaires would be pursued to make the international status of Asaba Airport a reality.
In addition, Keyamo proposed the idea of having partnerships with the domestic and international airlines to facilitate interlining, thus enabling passengers to easily connect from Asaba through transit to international destinations.
Keyamo also expressed his resolve to engage with youths in Delta who trained as pilots and explore ways to incorporate their expertise into Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem.
The traditional ruler was accompanied on the visit by the lawmaker representing Delta North in the house of representatives, Ngozi Okolie Lawrence, a top female politician, Mrs Ngozi Abuah-Olejeme, the Odogwu of Asaba, Chief Nwanze Oduah, Chief Fred Okonta, Dr Ken Mordi, Chief Phillip Ejike Nwokolo, Ogbueshi Sylver Oforgu, among other courtiers.
