FG developed airports in PDP controlled state –Jonathan

Jonathan said this during the commissioning of the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport,Birnin Kebbi.
“I am quite pleased that, within this period of the PDP government, six states have developed standard airports. These include Delta State, Akwa Ibom, Jigawa, Kebbi, Bauchi, Gombe and an airstrip in Taraba State. Incidentally, all are PDP states.”
He said the federal government also built an international airport in Enugu to serve the South-east region.
He called on commercial airline operators to seize the opportunity of improved condition in Nigerian airports to bring down airfares.
He said: “Let me use this opportunity to appeal to commercial airline operators to bring down or adjust their prices downwards to encourage Nigerians to patronise their services. It is better you carry more people than carry few people to make more money in terms of overall gains. Our own commitment is to make sure that we improve the quality of service of all our airports, especially in terms of security. We are also improving the terminal building for the comfort of travellers. We are not where we are supposed to be, but we are working very hard even in our executive councils to ensure that our terminal buildings look like terminal buildings.
“As we celebrate the commissioning of this splendid project, we must also celebrate the foresight of the administration of Governor Usman Dakingari for undertaking the extension of the earlier runway to the construction of a new control tower and terminus building as well as putting in place other aviation facilities that placed the airport at same standing for improved services.”
In his address, Governor Sa’idu Dakingari said the airport with a 3.4 kilometre runway will increase bilateral relations between Nigeria and other countries. He said the airport will contribute N2-N3.5billion annually to the national economy.
Dakingari said the new runway was made to meet international standard for the landing of Boeing 747.
“This N17 billion capital project that saw a reduction of nearly N7.8 billion under original budget estimates is a key component of several major projects that positions Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport for long-term growth,” he said.