By Abalaku Ezekiel & Kure Tashilane
Nasarawa State Governor Engr Abdullahi A. Sule has announced that the Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the takeover of Lafia cargo airport to ensure adequate utilization of the facility to further put the State in the line of progress and development for viable aviation business.
This was made known in a letter acknowledged by the Secretary to State Government Barr. Ubandoma Aliyu on Tuesday, 28th June 2022 in Lafia the State Capital.
“I am happy to break the news publically to all of you, Mr. President has approved the federal government take over of the airport and said he will refund all the money the State Government spent on that airport” Engr. Sule revealed.
The Governor pointed that Lafia airport proximity to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport is second to none. It is the closest airport to the Presidential Villa and that he had used every opportunity he had in the past to convince Mr. President to take over the airport in conjunction with the Ministry of Aviation.
Engr Sule explicitly mentioned that the facility could serve dual purpose as the airport can be partly utilized as security airport and still serve commercial purposes at the same time as it is the case in River State airport.
The Governor noted that the airport dual purpose has become expedient due to the fact that the 4-Special Forces Battalion headquarter is in Doma, 177 Guard Brigade has it’s headquarter in Keffi while the Tactical Quick Response Air force Squadron has its headquarter in Lafia and the Police Mobile Training College situated in Nassarawa Eggon, all within Nasarawa State.
