Benue People Commend FG over Revamp of Markurdi Airport

A first class traditional ruler in Benue state, Ter Markurdi, HRH Sule Abega, has commended the Federal Government on behalf of the people of the state for rehabilitating the Markurdi airport which had been abandoned for years.

For many years flight had stopped operating into the airport but the present administration incorporated it into the remodeling programme and it is one of the 22 airports government is rehabilitating.

Chief Abega who paid courtesy call on the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah recently conveyed the message of the people of the state to the Minister.

He informed the Minister that the Traditional Council of Benue state was pleased with the development of Makurdi Airport into a commercial airport after over 20 years of inactivity at the facility.

The Royal father told the Minister that on behalf of the Tor Tiv, HRH Chief Alfred Torkula IV, who is the Chairman of the Benue State Council of Chiefs, the development of Makurdi Airport into a cargo hub was a welcome transformation, and thanked the Minister for her efforts.

Responding to his questions about the dual use of the airport for Military and civilian operations, Oduah explained that there would be installation of modern communication, navigation and surveillance equipment to make it possible for both wide body and small body aircraft to operate into the airport.

The Minister described Makurdi airport is a natural agricultural hub, which when fully operational would transform the local economy of the state as farmers would begin to enjoy export value benefits for their fresh produce.

The state, she said, has abundant mangoes, tomatoes, oranges that could soon be exported to Europe or USA directly to supermarket chains and yams, cassava and farm produce, which have been the mainstay of the people’s lives.

Benue arguably is the food basket of Nigeria, so the planned perishable cargo programme is expected to transform the economy of rural dwellers and possible attract many young men and women in urban cities back to the farm in the state.

By Chinedu Eze

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/benue-people-commend-fg-over-revamp-of-markurdi-airport/170767/