Osubi Airport resume operations 17-Months after closure
Osubi Airport near Warri in Delta State re-opens for normal flight operations after it was officially shut down in February 2020 under a new management of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) yesterday with it hosting its first plane, AirPeace Hopper with registration number 5N-BUZ touching down at 8.40am.
Speaking at a brief re-opening ceremony, RT. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA) expressed happiness over the re-opening of the Airport in his Community of Okpe local government area of Delta State.
In his remarks at the re-opening ceremony of the Airport shut down seventeen months ago, the Speaker described the day as one of his happiest days on earth.
Rt. Hon. Oborevwori who represents Okpe State Constituency in the State House of Assembly said, “today is one of my happiest days and indeed a great pleasure to make this remarks”.
RT. Hon. Obrevwori added, “we are here to witness the re- making of history. I say this because on the 17th of April, 1999 when the Osubi Airport was commissioned, it was first of its kind in the State. It attracted headlines as a major breakthrough in air transportation in the State. Unfortunately, following controversy involving aviation service providers and management of the Airport, it was closed in February, 2020.”
According to him, “one year and five months after the shutdown, we are here gathered to witness the reopening of the Osubi Airport by the Federal Government. To me, this is a milestone for the State and Okpe Local Government Area in particular”.
The Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA) spoke further, “the strategic importance of the Airport to the oil and gas operations and other commercial activities in the State cannot be over emphasized. In 2015, the number of passenger movements into the Airport, according to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN) Aviation Sector Reports, was 187,630( one hundred and eighty seven thousand, six hundred and thirty). I believe this figure would be more as at the date the Airport was shutdown.”
He further said that; “the implication of the above is that these passengers along with all the economic benefits were taken elsewhere. The loss of revenue to the State and the host community during this period cannot be quantified. Therefore, it is a thing of joy that the Airport is being reopened today for business”.
He seized the opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the following persons towards the re-opening of the Airport; “first and foremost, I wish to thank our Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, for making the reopening of the Airport a priority by engaging the Federal Government on the need to reopen the Airport. In keeping with his promise of the reopening without delay, His Excellency provided and installed all the safety requirements which include all procedures, practices and Covid – 19 protocols. His Excellency also provided an ambulance and made provisions for maintenance for the take off of the reopening of the Airport. Your Excellency sir, we are grateful to you. Our special appreciation also goes to the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, for granting the approval for the reopening”.
He also expressed his appreciation to the very strategic role played by the royal fathers, saying that; “My Special thanks goes to His Royal Majesty, Orhue 1, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, and His Royal Majesty, Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom”.
“In the same vein, I also wish to express my gratitude to my good friend and brother, Alfred Temile, for providing support for the first clearing of grasses in the Airport and maintenance of the fire truck. Thank you for your love and kindness. Furthermore, I wish to thank the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN) and their Management which now have the management of the Airport under their purview,” he added.
He also expressed his appreciation to to the NNPC, NAPIMS and all the regulators, he urged them to ensure the smooth running of the Airport.
In his comments, Mr Winston Egwator, Airport Manager, Osubi Airport who was literally excited assured all stakeholders that the management would do it’s best to ensure that the tempo of operations is sustained and improved upon,
On his part, HRM Orhue 1, Orhodje of Okpe Kingdom expressed his appreciation to Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State for his support towards the re-opening of the Airport, he appealed to all stakeholders to work hard to sustain operations in the Airport, he was flanked by HRM Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1 Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom.
Also speaking, a passenger on board the fight, Dr. Simeon Okah, a renowned preacher and Founder, Flock of Christ Mission, Effurun near Warri who also was excited said that the re-opening of the Airport will save would be passengers the inconvenience of traveling to Edo State and Asaba to board flights adding, “no doubt, this would have socio-economic multiplier effect on the people of the area. “
