Governor Udom Emmanuel at the commissioning of Akwa Ibom State government has launched Ibom Air airlines, becoming the first State in Nigeria to own a commercial airline.This investment by the state government would create employment opportunities and also enhance connectivity in the region.
The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, applauded the state government for the development describing it as the pride of the State.
The Senate President added that the accomplishment showed that the Governor Emmanuel is committed to improving lives of people as well as promoting the state.
Governor Emmanuel Udom said the airline was a monumental achievement of his administration, adding that the aircraft, with only six years old and a sitting capacity of about 90 persons, constitute the newest and modern fleet of the Canadian airbus.
He noted that Akwa Ibom is the only state in the country to run a state-owned airport and run an airline, stressing that the government is running Ibom Air as a business.
The governor explained that the Ibom airline will operate routes that would give preference to Akwa Ibom people, and that the government would soon launch one of the best terminal buildings in this country.
He said further that the State government has strived to focus development of the state economy on land, air and water, noting that so far, the state government has constructed over 1,000 kilometers of roads across the state, while plans to construct the most digital seaport, the Ibom deep seaport, is on.
Meanwhile, the former governor of the state and initiator of the airport project, Obong Victor Attah, commended the governor for carrying on the project he started, and expressed joy that the airline would be solely operated as a business.
Also speaking at the launch of the airlines, Chairman of Ibom Air, Idongesit Nkanga, said the development will boost the realization of the MRO facility within the region and bring the state into limelight.
