Sokoto Govt Expresses Commitment to Provide Enabling Environment for United Nigeria Airline

…As airline commences scheduled flight operation in Sokoto

Ugo Aliogo

The Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmad Aliyu, has expressed the commitment of the administration to provide the enabling environment for United Nigeria airline.

The assurance of the State governor is coming as the airline commenced scheduled flight operation to Sokoto state.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar III, and the state governor, who took the inaugural flight from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja to Sokoto assured the management of United Nigeria of maximum support in the course of operations in the state.

Speaking yesterday at the State House in Sokoto, Aliyu said Air transportation hold the key to development in any country adding that this is the first airline to visit the state since he became governor.

He requested for a direct connectivity from the state to Kano State, stressing that the operations will expand business activities across both states.

However, in a swift response, UNA, Chairman, Obiora Okonkwo, assured the governor that direct flights between both states would commence soon.

Earlier in his remarks, the Sultan said they are receiving a strong team of stakeholders in developing their community and Nigeria.

He revealed that when the ideal of United Nigeria commencing scheduled flight operations in the country about three years ago, he supported and prayed for the chairman.

According to him, “About eight month ago, we started this conversation and today it is an history, a confirmation that we believe in uniting one another. We need to open Sokoto to other airlines. There are challenges, but we will never give up. At the moment we understand that business environment is tough, but we need to see how to help everyone.

“I pray for safe fight every where this airline goes and if there is anyway, we can help the airline to succeed, we will be please to do so.

“United Nigeria airline will continue to fly higher and also unite Nigerians. Cost of aircraft is very high, but I believe the government is doing everything possible to ease it.”

Okonkwo added: “What brought us here is the commencement of direct flight connectivity, however, I am willing to do anything in terms of investments in this state. We will continue to fly across every part of Nigeria until we unit everyone.

“Sokoto is very critical to us and we are interested to getting further collaboration with the Sokoto state government. Also, to the traveling public, we are here to serve you better.

“We do not mind flying from here to oversee because we have gotten the approval. We are aware of the obstacles in the sector, but we will continue to strive to make things better.”