Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has confirmed that the state will take delivery of two new state-owned aircraft in March as part of his administration’s plans to boost the state aviation sector.

The governor, who decried the abandonment of the Calabar-Itu highway, called on the Federal Government to alleviate the hardship on the people by completing the road.

He disclosed these during a media parley with journalists in Calabar, on Tuesday.

Expressing regrets for the disappointment faced by residents and visitors over the years, the governor said the plan to resuscitate the state airline was to provide an alternative transportation system for the people.

“Residents and visitors to Cross River State were having trouble with flying to the state due to delays and cancellations.

“I want to announce that we have paid for two new aircraft, which shall be delivered in March. The negative experiences so far in the aviation sector would change.

“We have worked on the engines of the other aircraft we have, and we are also in the process of receiving an additional two by March,” he said.

The governor announced a plan to have the biggest airline in the country, to solve the Calabar route challenge.
He also announced plans by the airline to go on international routes, adding, “We are hoping to fly beyond Nigeria.”

The governor noted that with the cost of fuel and the state of federal roads in the state, his administration was on the verge of developing the rail system.

He revealed that the Obudu cargo and passenger airport was receiving priority attention to provide an alternative to the flying public, adding that in carrying out the new policy, he tapped into the blueprints developed by his predecessors.

“God has allowed us to buy into the experiences of our predecessors; they did not do badly, all that is needed is fresh breath by injecting modern values to some of these policies that have lost value with time,” he said.

Speaking on the appalling state of the Calabar-Itu road, Otu said “It is so unfortunate, and I want to once again call on the Federal government to consider the completion of the road.”

He lamented the security risk posed by the road for pregnant women, the sick, and accident victims.

“The issue of compensation was raised as a factor affecting the work progress, I took it upon myself and paid all the outstanding compensation to the people.

“As we are talking now, the rainy season will soon set in, and the road will be completely impassable,” he added.


https://punchng.com/criver-takes-delivery-of-two-aircraft-march/