Akwa Ibom government, Wednesday, unveiled two aircrafts coded C-FWNK, which are six years old with a sitting capacity of about 90 persons, constituting the newest and modern fleet of the Canadian airbus.
Governor Udom Emmanuel who did not mention the cost of the aircrafts boasted, “For the first time in history of not just in Nigeria but in Africa, no state government has owned its own airline and this goes to show the mindset and the experience of the Governor in terms of business.”
“Ibom Air has come to stay. I am happy to tell you that we have completed recruitment with good number of Akwa Ibom children. The Chief Pilot is from Akwa Ibom. Three aircraft are secured and are ready for commencement of operation. It is completely owned and operated by Akwa Ibom State Government and it will provide 400 direct and indirect jobs,” Mr. Akan Okon, commissioner for Housing, Special Duties and Aviation Develpoment, tweeted.
Ex-Akwa Ibom governor, Obong Victor Attah said “Today we have in front of us the beginning of something that will bring economic development to the state.”
“Today, we celebrate leadership, we celebrate the good things that can come out of Nigeria, we celebrate the audacity of hope.
The governor has created an environment for people to have jobs. We are proud of you in the PDP family,” Dr. Bukola Saraki, the Senate President said
Though Aniekeme Finbarr, special Assistant to the Governor on Media tweeted that the business would be run as a limited liability company, Nsima Ekere Campaign Organisation in a text, warned “Ibom Air! Politically fantastic. Economically comical. Ask Sen. Anietie Okon (Vice chairman of Arik Air) what happened. Ask Captains Mfon Udom and Augustine Okon what happened to ADC. Why did AMCON take over AERO and Arik. Where is Chanchangi, First Nation, Medview, etc.”
The launching of the two aircrafts at the Victor Attah International Airport today in Uyo, Governor Udom Emmanuel said the airline was a monumental achievement in the state.
He said:”The journey to achieve Ibom Airline started in 2016 and today, it is a reality. If we were to search the minds of people, this day would have been frustrated but we give glory to God for making this day a reality.
“I want to charge my people that we can achieve a lot if we come together. As at today, we have done a lot more in terms of the road network. We have done even more than the Federal Government has done.
“We are not only developing a deep sea port. I want to reassure Akwa Ibom that before the end of this tenure in 2023 we will launch one of the most digital seaports in entire Africa “How can somebody say a state like Akwa Ibom has not commissioned any project in the past three years?
“Let Akwa Ibom people rebuke such people. This is not a time to destroy what we have. The Technical Consultant of Ibom Air, Mfon Udom disclosed that the third aircraft will arrive in the state on Friday, and another one in August this year.”
He said, “The project commenced about three years ago and has been made possible by the governor. Ibom Air is one of the vehicles to drive Akwa Ibom economy and growth.’’
