Kenneth Ehigiator
3 November 2008
THE Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has lifted its restriction on the use of the Maiduguri Airport, which was closed for resurfacing of its runway two weeks ago.
The Director General of NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren, announced the lifting of the restriction on the use of the Maiduguri Airport by wide-bodied aircraft like Boeing 747 aircraft at the weekend in Lagos.
Demuren had last Friday, in company of the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Adamu Shattima Yuda Dibal, Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun, and other top officials of agencies and Ministry of Aviation, inspected the Maiduguri Airport's runway, shortly after the repair of its failed portions and other facilities by FAAN.
The Federal Government had given FAAN two weeks within which to rehabilitate the runway to prepare the airport for the airlift of pilgrims to this year's hajj which begins November 6, 2008.
Demuren explained that with the lifting of the ban, the Maiduguri Airport could be used for the airlift of intending pilgrims to the Holy Land.
The Maiduguri Airport joins the list of ten other airports, including those in Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, Yola, Gombe, Abuja, Minna, Lagos and Katsina, slated for the airlift of pilgrims in 2008.
He commended the management of FAAN for its doggedness in rehabilitating the nation's airports, particularly those of Kaduna and Maiduguri after a directive by the federal government that the two airports should be put in proper shape expected of an ideal airport for international operations, and in preparations for the 2008 Hajj operations within two weeks.
The failed portion of the Kaduna Airport's runway was repaired barely a week after the federal government gave the two-week ultimatum to FAAN.
Demuren explained that FAAN could not embark on the total resurfacing of the Maiduguri Airport like some airports this year because the agency could not access the fund allocated to it in the outgoing year's budget.
On his part, Bornu State governor, Alhaji Ali-Modu Sheriff, who received the inspection team in his office in Maiduguri, expressed the willingness of his administration to further collaborate with FAAN and other aviation agencies towards improving the lot of the airport in the interest of the country.
Sheriff also announced the donation of two fire fighting vehicles and an ambulance to FAAN for the use of the Maiduguri Airport, particularly in preparation for the forthcoming Hajj operation.
About 6,000 intending pilgrims from Bornu and Yobe States, including government officials, the governor revealed, would be airlifted from the airport.
In his reaction, Aisuebeogun said the Maiduguri Airport has automatically been upgraded to Category 9 in terms of fire cover with the donation of two fire tenders in addition to the existing three at the airport.
He added that with the status, the airport was safe and secured and could compete with any other in its category globally.
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