SAN FRANCISCO, April 20, (THEWILL) – As flights return to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA Abuja after the six weeks diversion of same to the Kaduna International Airport, Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state has listed several benefits that accrued to the state courtesy of the flights diversion.
Noting that the diversion to Kaduna boosted business activities and created jobs in the state during the period, he pointed out that repairs of the airport terminal offered Kaduna the opportunity of receiving local and international flights which exposed the state to numerous benefits.
A statement issued on Thursday by the media aide to the Governor, Samuel Aruwan reads, “The diversion of Abuja flights to Kaduna airport demonstrated federal government’s confidence in the state. No fewer than 4,000 flights operated at the Airport.
“In preparation for the diversion of flights, the federal government rehabilitated the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway. The Kaduna State government complemented this by repairing the Western Bye-pass of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway and constructing a new 5.2 kilometers road to link the airport road with the Rigasa Train Station.
“We have also installed street lights on major roads leading to and from the airport to facilitate the movement of passengers between Kaduna and Abuja.
“The residents of Kaduna will continue to benefit from these investments long after the reopening of the Abuja Airport.”
El-Rufai commended the federal government for making Kaduna International Airport the alternative route during the closure of Abuja Airport and bringing enormous development to the state.
On behalf of the Kaduna State government, he expressed gratitude to all institutions and individuals that made the Kaduna Airport a successful alternative while the Abuja Airport was closed for repairs and commended the level of collaboration between agencies and all tiers of government.
The statement also lauded the contributions of local airlines, the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, and road transporters and Ethiopian Airlines being the only international carrier that operated from Kaduna while the Abuja Airport repairs lasted.
El-Rufai further commended the federal government for completing the repairs at the Abuja Airport on schedule, and urged airlines to sustain their operations at the Kaduna International Airport.
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