FG takes over Yobe Cargo Airport, silent on Imo for years

Whereas the Federal Government has taken over the recently inaugurated Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport, Damaturu, it has remained silent on the request by previous governments of Imo State to do same for the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport (SMICA), Owerri since the early 80s it was built by the citizens.
Besides, the takeover which many experts see as an irony, is coming at a time the same Federal Government is working on concessioning federal airports to private investors
Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, disclosed on Monday at the launch of a book titled: “Gov. Buni’s 1,500 projects” authored by Alhaji Mustapha Mohammed, the Governor said the takeover followed a formal request by the state government.
While noting that the airport would boost socio-economic activities in the state, he averred that “I am happy to tell you that last week, the Federal Government took over the ownership of the newly commissioned Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport, Damaturu.
“It is indeed a good story for the state because we were able to execute the project in line with the required standard.
“Our administration will forever remain focused in formulating and executing people-oriented projects for the benefit of the common man,’’ he said.
Yobe’s Commissioner for Transportation and Energy, Alhaji Abdullahi Kukuwa, had recently told newsmen that the state spent more than N18 billion on the airport project initiated in 2017.