The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has assured that the Maiduguri airport, which was shut down for renovation some months back, is ready for use during this year’s hajj operation.
The NCAA disclosed this yesterday when the Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, visited the airport to assess the progress of work.
NCAA director in the state, Alhaji Haruna Lawal who conducted the governor round the facilities, said the airport was actually ready for use, and that the management was only waiting for approval from the NCAA authorities and aviation officials who were expected to inspect the renovation before the airport was officially re-opened
He, however, noted the airport would need a 25 KVA generator to power the radar facilities and assured the governor that the painting of the runway would take only few days to complete.
Operations at the airport were suspended late June following cracks on the runway.
He disclosed that the maiden airlift of intending pilgrims for the 2011 Hajj exercise was scheduled for the first week of October.
Kashim, in his response, announced the donation of a 27 KVA generator and N1 million for diesel. He also directed the state fire service to release an operational vehicle manned by its personnel to the airport to boost safety readiness.
The governor also asked the ministry of works to release five tractors for the clearing of the airport even as he directed the commissioner in the ministry to commence the clearing of the hajj camp in Maiduguri in preparation for the October airlift of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.