by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has assured the minister of aviation and aerospace, Mr Festus Keyamo, of his administration’s support, as the ministry announced a plan to upgrade the Muhammadu Buhari Airport, Maiduguri, to international status.
Zulum gave the assurance on Monday during a visit to the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, in a statement signed by the SSA new Media, Abdurrahman Bundi.
“As the chairman of northeast governor’s forum and, this is our first International Airport, I want to assure of the political will needed to ensure the implementation of this laudable stride,” Zulum said.
The governor emphasized that Maiduguri, being a gateway for most countries around Lake Chad and Central Africa, would stimulate economic development in the northeast region by upgrading the airport.
Speaking earlier, the aviation minister assured that Muhammadu Buhari Airport would take off as a full International Airport on January 1, 2025, noting that all the takeoff preparations have been concluded and that relevant government agencies have been notified of the development.
The minister expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the upgrade of Muhammadu Buhari Airport, Maiduguri, stressing that of all the geopolitical zones, only the northeast has no full International Airport in the country.
Zulum was accompanied on the visit by Senators Mohammed Ali Ndume, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, and Kaka Shehu Lawan, who represents Borno South, North and Central, respectively.
Borno APC Chairman, Hon. Bello Ayuba, Deputy Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Engr Abdullahi Musa Askira, and other senior government officials were also present on the visit.