20 Years After: Aviation Authority Inaugurates Regional Office Complex in Rivers

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has finally completed and inaugurated its regional office complex in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, 20 years after the building project was initiated.

THISDAY gathered that the building project was initiated in 2004 and abandoned by previous management, a development that affected the administrative services of the agency.

At the inauguration of the office complex at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Ikwerre Local Government Area, yesterday, the Acting Director General, NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo said the inauguration was another milestone in the authority’s commitment to advancing aviation safety, security and service delivery in Nigeria.

Najomo said Port Harcourt, being in a strategic position as a hub for energy, commerce and tourism, necessitated the establishment of world-class infrastructure to support its aviation sector.

He said: “Port Harcourt, the treasure of Nigeria’s oil and gas has always played a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of our great nation. Its strategic importance as a hub for energy, commerce and tourism necessitates the establishment of world-class infrastructure to support our aviation sector.

“The new facility embodies our resolve to decentralise operations and bring services closer to stakeholders, ensuring a seamless flow of communication and operations within this vital region.

“With this office, we aim to enhance oversight, improve response times, and strengthen collaboration with airlines, operators and other aviation stakeholders in the South-south region.”

Najomo added: “We are not merely inaugurating a building, we are laying the foundation for enhanced operational excellence. This transformative structure will serve as a beacon of our dedication to fostering safety and compliance while providing a conducive environment for our staff to perform their duties efficiently and productively”.

Earlier, the Port Harcourt Regional Manager of NCAA, Oladipo Titus, said the project started over 20 years ago and was looking like it was never going to be achieved.

In a goodwill message, the Managing Director of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubumi Kuku, said: “We actually used to make fun of the NCAA, now it is a thing of the past. We are proud of them”.

She urged the acting DG and staff “to keep up with the good work”.

On her part, the Director of Human Resources and Administration, NCAA, Dr Anastasia Gbem, praised the Acting DG for the completion and inauguration of the complex.