With all needed certifications and infrastructure on ground, all is set for the effective takeoff of aviation operations at the new Bayelsa International Cargo Airport (BICA) in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Explaining more in Abuja at the recent Airport Business Summit and Expo, the Managing Director (MD) of the Bayelsa Airlines Limited who doubles as Governor Seriake Dickson’s eyes on the project, Capt. Henry Ungbuku, said “the project was at its final stage of completion and will be commissioned by the end of August”.
He stressed that BICA’s delivery will boost economic activities, guarantee security for the people of the state, including the oil workers and raise the rating of the state in infrastructural developments.
He claimed that no fewer than 40 per cent of air travellers using the Port Harcourt International Airport (PHIA) are from Bayelsa State, stressing that the state has the customer base in terms of passengers to feed BICA.
Ungbuku said the airport is not only coming on stream to raise passengers’ delights, but also for the movement of cargo in order to attract new businesses.
It was not clear whether BICA will become the first Cargo Airport to really engage in cargo activities as many others before it are yet to consummate cargo handling especially the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport (SMICA) in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
However, just as Ungbuku was quick to blame the failures of some state-owned cargo airports on lack of continuity and serious development of business cases, he assured that the current administration had put measures in place to ensure the project outlived the government.
Delivery specification details garnered by Business Hilights S’South Bureau chief showed that the Bayelsa State government considered long-term investment while acquiring the expansive 2,250 hectres of land from the outset of the project.
Also, BICA will accommodate Boeing747 aircraft, with the benefit of category II landing facilities to ensure that there is no flight disruption during bad weather.
It was gathered that the airport is coming with some critical facilities including hangar for maintenance, repair and operational activities.
Industry analysts say BICA coming with a hangar will provide opportunity for airlines in the country to carry out their C-checks and save millions of foreign exchange for operators who had been going aboard for the service.
All things being equal, there strong indications that President Muhammadu Buhari will be the first to land and takeoff from BICA as he readies for the inauguration come August 27, 2018.
