Yobe Cargo Airport to begin commercial operations soon -MD

By Muhammad Maitela, Damaturu

The Managing Director, Damaturu International Cargo Airport, Engr. Muhammad Surajo Wakil, says the Airport will commence commercial operations soon.
Surajo stated this while briefing journalists at a media tour to some state government’s projects across the state in Damaturu.
He added that the airport was not fully operational to satisfy the commercial need of the people.
According to him, when fully operational, the Airport will create more job to the people especially the state indigenes and contribute to its 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 in 2007.
He added that the airport’s runway is among the longest and well-constructed in the country.
“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 kilometers with 250-meter buffers on either end, bringing the total length to 4.1 kilometers”, he said.
The permanent secretary explained that the decision to construct the cargo airport stemmed from the absence of such facilities in the North-East region.
“Being an agrarian state, Yobe is expected to benefit significantly from the airport’s ability to boost economic activities.
“An abundance of exportable crops like beans, groundnut, and sesame seeds are produced in the state”,he said.
He, however, noted that neighboring states could utilise the airport to transport goods to other parts of the world.