By: Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
Years the suspension of a domestic air services operations at Dutse International Airport by Nigerian airlines, the Jigawa State government has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a private airline operator for commencement of scheduled flight operations on the Dutse-Abuja route.
Sources confirmed that the use of the Dutse airport and the MoU on the Dutse-Abuja route is imperative as the Kano/Kaduna/ Abuja road has become insecure with frequent bandits attack on the road and the terrorists on the Kaduna-Abuja rail route has made the insecurity worse for travellers.
According to the source, “there is no security by road or even the train. Air is the best and safest way to travel.”
gawa State Governor, Mr Badaru Abubakar told journalists at the Dutse International Airport that the State government deems it necessary to put the airport into proper use so that the what government invested in providing the airport facilities will not continue to be wasted.
Governor Abubakar, represented by his Deputy, Malam Umar Namadi Danmodi, explained that “having been endowed with various agricultural outputs and animals products, the State has so many things to export to other parts of Nigeria and abroad. This will improve the businesses in the State and so many important things will come to the State and so many things will also go to the airline.”
He added that “all the agreements entered with the air company will be implemented accordingly and the Governor has promised to sustain the flight.”
Governor Abubakar maintained that the State government will do everything possible to talk to the neighbouring States and investors to patronize the flight.
Stating the resolve of the Jigawa State government to abide by all agreements entered into in order to sustain the services of the airline, he noted: “Government will provide a level playing ground to ensure that the airline render its services effectively in order to boost business activities, encourage tourism and provide job opportunities for Jigawa State citizens.”