Plans to upgrade Osubi airport to international standard underway – Keyamo

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

Mr Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development says plans are underway to upgrade the Osubi Airport to international standard.

Keyamo disclosed over the weekend at the inauguration of the newly constructed Police station at the Osubi Airport, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta.

The minister who was represented by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Mr Voke Oshasha, also inaugurated a fuel depot at the airport.

Addressing newsmen shortly after cutting the tape, Keyamo said that the project would enhance safety and security in the Airport.

“The Osubi Airport Manager, Mr Winston Egwuatu has done very well in keeping with the safety standard of the Nigeria Airport.

“This initiative will enhance the safety of passengers in the airport and the Osubi Community.

“We are already working on the expansion of the Osubi Airport to an international standard, it is a process,” the minister said.

The Osubi Airport was established in 1999 to serve exploration activities of the Petroleum industry on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

The airport was a joint venture between the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and the Federal Government with 55 per cent and 45 per cent stake respectively.

The facility was shut down in 2020 following the inability of the concessionaire, Shoreline Oil Services Limited who acquired it in 2015 to provide adequate safety, security and debt-related issues.

It was, however, reopened by the Federal Government on March 29, 2021, for full-scale commercial operations under the management of the FAAN.

Earlier, in his address of welcome, the Osubi Airport Manager said that the construction of the Police station was borne out of the dare need for a physical presence of police in the airport.

Egwuatu said that the presence of police would help to address civil issues that may arise within and around the airport facilities.

He added that the provision of the befitting facility would enable the police to carry out its statutory duties as attainable in other airports in Nigeria.

The airport manager said that the Police station was constructed from the meagre Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the airport.

“The completion of the Police station is a milestone that represents our commitment to enhancing the safety and well-being of the passengers, stakeholders, concessionaires and the airport host community.

“The Police station symbolises our dedication to providing a secure environment where everyone can strive, fostering partnerships and building trust between the law enforcement agents, the airport community and the public.

“The edifice is a modern state-of-the-art facility with one Divisional Police Officer’s office, two cells (male and female), one Armory, Constable counter, one interrogation room, one DCO office and a general toilet,” he said.

Egwuatu disclosed that Osubi Airport had operated without a Police station for the past 25 years.

He added that the Osubi Airport Management under the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) was able to change the narrative after 11 months of painstaking sacrifice and commitment.

Egwuatu thanked the Managing Director/Chief Executive (MD/CE) of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku for her human and material support to ensure the Presidential directive on Osubi Airport was achieved.

In her remark, Mrs Kuku thanked the minister of aviation for the innovations in the aviation industry.

Represented by Mrs Joke Olatunji, General Manager, Operation of FAAN, the MD/CE also commended the Osubi Airport Manager for the feat.

“You have set the pace and I believe other airports will follow suit,” KuKu said.

Also, the Chairman of Okpe Local Government Area, Mr Isaiah Esiovwa thanked the management and staff of the Osubi Airport for the laudable project.

On his part, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Maj.-Gen.Felix Mujakperuo (rtd) thanked the Osubi Airport management for the transformation in the airport.

The royal father who was represented by Chief Michael Affe noted that the airport had brought relief to the Delta residents.

“Before now, we used to travel to Benin City to board the plane. This airport has brought a lot of relief and advantages to us and we pray, it continues to expand,” he said.

Highlights of the ceremony were the cutting of the tape and the traditional displayed by the Ema Royal Troupe of Urhoboland.

In attendance were: the representative of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Police, Immigration, DSS, NSCDC and among others.