N/East states move to improve air transport, earmark N30bn for aircraft 

The six governors of the North-East States have agreed to contribute N5 billion each to buy two aircraft for a regional air shuttle, aiming to improve air travel in the area.

Muhammad Magaji, Gombe State’s Finance Commissioner, announced after a State Executive Council meeting held in Gombe on Wednesday that the plan was set to be implemented soon.

The initiative, launched in 2020, initially received N69 million in consultancy fees from all six States. Magaji emphasised that the N5 billion contribution from Gombe had been approved and would be paid promptly to meet deadlines.

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“This N30 billion fund will purchase the aircraft, which will operate within the Northeast and connect to other parts of Nigeria, providing a stable and regionally owned air transport system that reduces reliance on external airlines, which often withdraw from the region”, he said.

He stated that the initiative was launched in 2020, when all six States collectively paid a sum of N69 million as consultancy for the establishment of the regional shuttle.

“Gombe’s N5 billion has been approved, and we are going to ensure that we make that payment today(Wednesday) to ensure that we meet the deadline for the payment.

“The six Governors of the North-East states had decided that there is a need for the region to have a Northeast shuttle, which is an airline.

“The six States had agreed to contribute a sum of N5 billion each, making a total of N30 billion for the purchase of two aircraft that will be utilised for the Northeast shuttle.

“The airline will move around the North-Eastern states and outside of the region to other parts of the Country.

“There were two decisions, either you borrow $20 million to buy, or you pay N5 billion each, and the six governors have agreed to contribute that sum,” he said.

Magaji explained further that the shuttle would open up the region and ensure that it had a stable air transport system.

He stated that with the shuttle coming on board, the region would no longer experience issues with air transportation as it had in the past.

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Magaji noted, “Most at times, airlines come into the North-East and for one reason or another, they pull out.

“So, for now, even when anyone pulls out, this is our own airline; it would remain with us to serve the North-East and even others outside the North-East.”