Following the likelihood of a nationwide strike by airline operators on Monday, 9th May,2022, as earlier announced, many passengers are having a hard time securing flights to their destinations. Our correspondent who visited the Ibadan Airport based in Alakia around 7pm on Sunday, reports that anger and frustration were evident on the faces of passengers as many of them were seen arguing with Airline personnel. A passenger who spoke under the condition of anonymity said her flight was scheduled for Monday but they were asked to come to the airport right away and upon getting there there was no plane to airlift them. “We already booked our flight on line and it was supposed to be for tomorrow morning so we didn’t plan for today at all.On getting here everything is so confusing, we don’t even know our fate whether or not we can leave today because we are being pushed from one personnel to the other for the way out”.the passenger said.
In the case of some passengers, they had boarded the plane ready for take off when they were all instructed to get down following a directive from their headquarters to ask all passengers to alight from the plane.
Passengers alighting from the plane
A student who was returning from his vacation said his flight from Abuja to Ibadan was initially scheduled for 3pm but the flight was delayed for three hours. “My flight was supposed to be for 3pm,it was later moved to 4:55pm but we eventually left@ 5:30pm. I noticed that at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja,the counters were abandoned at some stage by the airline personnel. I’m glad I arrived safely despite the stress”.
Airline Operators of Nigeria had on Friday, 6th May, 2022, announced that they would embark on an indefinite strike starting on Monday, 9th May 2022.
They cited the increasing cost of aviation fuel as the major reason for planning to shut down operations.
The Airline Operators claimed the price of aviation fuel (JetA1) had suddenly risen from N190 per litre to about N700, a development which had created huge pressure on the sustainability of operations and financial viability of the airlines.
Oyo state Governor,Engineer Seyi Makinde says his government will always support the upgrade of facilities at the Ibadan airport Alakia till it assume international standard.
He said this during the commissioning of a protocol/VIP lounge at the airport as well as inauguration of an airline operation to the Ibadan airport.
Inaugurating a new airline operation in the state and commissioning of a protocol lounge, Governor Makinde explained that his government would not relent until the airport operate international flights.
The governor added that in a couple of months, the airport would be upgraded with aviation fuel storage and dispensing facilities to enable flight refuel in Ibadan
The Chief Executive Officer of the new airline operator, Mr Allen Onyeama said that Ibadan airport would soon operate flights to Kano, Enugu, Porth Harcourt and other part of the country,
Mr Onyeama commended Oyo state government for the innovation and expressed hope for a united Nigeria irrespective of inequality or violence, stressing that all Nigerians must contribute their quota for unity to prevail
Earlier,the representative of Ibadan airport management, Tega Aiyenuiro appreciated the support of Governor Makinde in upgrading the Ibadan airport and expressed optimism that with fire tender and other facilities in the airport, services have improved significantly
The senate committee on aviation has promised to advocate the upgrade of Ibadan airport to international standard.
Chairman Senate Committee on aviation, senator Smart Adeyemi said this during a courtesy call on Governor Makinde at the Agodi secretariat,Ibadan as part of the committee’s oversight function.
Senator Adeyemi said the visit, ahead of the 2022 budget presentation would equip the committee with useful information in advocating for sufficient funds for the aviation sector.
Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Mr Nnolim Nnaji who was part of the delegation also stressed the economic importance of upgrading the nation’s airport as an alternative to road transportation due to prevailing challenges of insecurity
In a remark, Oyo state Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde urged the federal government to handover Ibadan airport to the state government to enable the state expedite processes in upgrading the airport to international standard
Governor Makinde explained various effort of his administration in giving the airport a facelift, especially with the rehabilitation of adjourning roads as well as provision of basic facilities in the airport and called on the federal government to do more by collaborating with the state.
He equally added that the airport would not only impact on the state economy by expanding its business district, the country would be better for it as it move from an economy dependent on oil to a non-oil economy.
The team later took an assessment tour of the Ibadan airport to evaluate areas of concerns.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says plans by his administration to make Ibadan Airport a regional transportation hub are on course.
He made this known while receiving the Air Officer Commanding, AOC, Logistics Command, Ikeja, Air Vice Marshal Olaonipekun Makinde on a courtesy call at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan.
The governor said his administration would improve social services and expand infrastructure at the airport to enhance the economic growth of the state.
Governor Makinde explained that his government was poised to expand the runway so that bigger aircraft could land at the airport, which according to him should be a true alternative to Lagos.
Governor Makinde appreciated the Nigerian Air Force, especially the NAF Detachment, Ibadan for its contribution to the security architecture in the state.
He congratulated Air Vice Marshal Makinde on his appointment as the AOC, Logistics Command, Lagos.
Also, he commiserated with the entire Air Force over the loss of officers and men in the air accident which occurred in Abuja recently.
Earlier, Air-Vice Marshal Makinde appreciated the governor for supporting the Air Force.
He assured the governor that NAF would continue to be committed to ensuring the security of lives and property in the state.
Below is the text of a Press Release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Taiwo Adisa
PRESS RELEASE
Plan to turn Ibadan Airport to regional transportation hub intact – Makinde
…..’We’ll expand airport’s infrastructure for Oyo’s economic growth’
Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Thursday, said that plans by his administration to make Ibadan Airport a regional transportation hub are on course.
The governor added that his administration will improve social services and expand infrastructure at the airport to enhance the economic growth of the state.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, stated that the governor made this known while receiving the Air Officer Commanding, AOC, Logistics Command, Ikeja, Air Vice Marshal Olaonipekun Makinde, at the Courtesy Room of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan.
The governor congratulated Air Vice Marshal Makinde on his appointment as the AOC, Logistics Command, Lagos.
He said: “We want to use this opportunity to send our greetings to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Dayo Amao. We congratulate him on his elevation and wish him well.
“Let me also commiserate with the entire Air Force on the loss of your officers and men in the air accident in Abuja. One of them actually happened to be from Oyo State and we are trying to reach out to the family to give the support required.”
Governor Makinde, who appreciated the Nigerian Air Force, especially the NAF Detachment, Ibadan, for its contribution to the security architecture in the state, said: “They have been very active, even in this trying time of security challenges. They have always been there not only in Oyo State but for the entire country. So, we are grateful for that support.”
Speaking further on the plan of the Oyo State Government for the Ibadan Airport, Governor Makinde said his administration is trying to expand the runway so that bigger aircraft could land at the airport, which, according to him, should be a true alternative to Lagos.
“We believe that the Airport in Ibadan should serve as a true alternative airport to Lagos if it has the capacity to take the 747 aircraft. So, we have a project that we are incubating right now. We are trying to expand the runway so that bigger aircraft can land in Ibadan.
“We are also looking at Ibadan as actually becoming the hub for regional air transportation. We are trying, even within the shortest possible time, to see if we can have a connection between Ibadan and Port Harcourt.
“We are talking to Air Peace and they should be starting an operational flight from Ibadan to Abuja in the next two weeks. And Ibadan to Port Harcourt should commence once we have finalised the discussion that we are having with them.
“It means that with all these activities we are bringing to the state and the Ibadan Airport, we will need more cooperation and collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force.
“I discussed with the Chief of Air Staff when he visited me here. We talked about the Air Force Base here in Ibadan and our House of Representatives member, Hon. Abass Agboworin, who is the Vice-Chairman of the House Committee on Air Force, is making efforts to bring some of these projects into fruition.
“One thing that we will surely want to have is more presence of the Nigerian Air Force here in Ibadan. And as a government, we are ready and willing to make that happen.
“I have asked them to look for land very close to the airport and if you go there now, you will notice that coming out of the airport, we are building a road all the way to Ife Express Road. We will pass through Ajia and come out at Ife Express Road, but you will also have a spur to your right that will also come out at Akanran.
“About three days ago, I spoke with the Governor of Ogun State and we both agreed that we can fix the 11-km road that will take one from Akanran(in Oyo State) to Ijebu-igbo, Ogun State. So, what that means is that from the airport, anyone coming from the Ijebu axis would not have to even think about going to Lagos to fly.”
He added that the government will equally assist in the upgrading the Airforce School at Iyana-offa and help in connecting the school to the national grid.
The governor equally explained that the state has been fixing the road leading to the Air Force Headquarters in Akobo, Ibadan.
Earlier, Air Vice Marshal Makinde appreciated the governor for supporting the Air Force, saying: “It is an honour for me this morning to be here to visit the governor and it is good to share that wonderful surname [Makinde] with you as the Executive Governor of Oyo State.
“I bring you greetings from the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao, who asked me to expressly tell you that he is most grateful to you and the good people of Oyo State for the hospitality you have continued to give to members of the Nigerian Air Force.
“I also want to thank His Excellency for having me and my team visit him at a very short notice. Let me also thank His Excellency for the visionary leadership, the huge infrastructure ongoing across the state.
“I want to thank you for the support you have been giving to military and other security agencies in the state, especially the Nigerian Air Force. This has been unprecedented.
“The Executive Governor has promised to ensure our Air Force Comprehensive School is connected to the national grid. When I visited the Unit this morning, the Commander assured me that whatever the governor says he will do, he will definitely do it. “So, I am thanking you in anticipation for that promise you have made to the Unit.”
Air Vice Marshal Makinde assured the governor that NAF will continue to be committed to ensuring the security of lives and property in the state.
“NAF is ready to assist you in any way and any area that you require assistance to be able to provide the much-needed security for the people of Oyo State and this concerns all areas you might think of,” he concluded.
