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United Nigeria Airlines unites Bayelsans as first commercial airline lands on Yenagoa

Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

 

The atmosphere at the new Bayelsa State International Airport Wednesday was quite electrifying, as people trooped out carnival-like when the first ever flight, United Nigeria Airlines touched down on Bayelsan soil.

Though they cut across party lines, they were mostly PDP supporters, including youths and women, who turned up in their resplendent colourful attires, dancing and bearing banners of solidarity.

The first commercial flight to land on the soil of Bayelsa State was scheduled to arrive from the hours of 8am to 12 pm and so, the people waited dancing dexterously but all seemed in vain because bad weather had delayed arrival.

The almost hopeless atmosphere was remedied at 3.40pm when the flight, United Nigeria Airlines, UNA, with registration 5N-BWW, with its motto: “Flying to Unite Nigeria”, landed like a bird to the admiration of the cheering mammoth crowd.

When the aircraft finally appeared on the skyline, even before it landed, the overjoyed crowed surged to the barricading wire fence, shouting; “miracle governor has done it; miracle governor of prosperity has done it”.

A lady, who was apparently dressed in her best attire, who also had not got close to an aircraft before could not hide her feelings when she said in pidgin English: So, na so aero plane big? I think sey na small thin when I see it fly for air”.

On the entourage of Governor Douye Diri on the first commercial flight from the Lagos Airport to Bayelsa State Intentional Airport were the state House of Assembly members, Commissioners in the administration, National Assembly members across party lines,  and other eminent personalities of the state’s extraction, including traditional rulers and the lady that made history at the Olympic Games, Blessing Oburududu.

Expressing her joy about a dream that has come true, Mrs. Immaculate, a top woman politician in the state noted:  “It is part of the miracle; It is unbelievable. People thought it would never come to be but today, here we are celebrating it. Bayelsans should maximise this opportunity to ensure that they improve their economic well being. Investors should come, no more excuses.”

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Investment, Jonathan Obuebite, said: “Today history has been made again as “His excellency led National Assembly, NASS, members across party lines. We have those from the APC here and the PDP.

“Your Excellency, you are a uniting factor.  Just like the Airline says, Uniting Nigeria, you have United Bayelsa State and the Ijaw nation

“Here we have come to celebrate the first commercial flight that is landing in the heart of Ijaw nation here in Bayelsa State.

“Your Excellency, what you have done today you have taken Bayelsa to the world and you have also brought the world to Bayelsa.

“Some few months ago, we signed the MoU with the airline; you promised that in few weeks time commercial fight will fly to this airport,” he disclosed.

Mr. Abraham Ngobere, Speaker of the state House of Assembly in his remarks recalled how they were scolded for approving huge amount of money for the commencement of the project about four years ago. He recalled that derogatory statements were made against them but expressed joy that they have been vindicated and profusely thanked Governor Diri for the successes.

“About four years ago, we made approval for the commencement of the Airport project. The House of Assembly was accused of being a rubber stamp for approving a project they said was not feasible but today the project is feasible.

“I am very happy some of the subjects accusing PDP government are here to see the actualisation of the project.

“The final step of linking Baylesa to the world will attract investors. I thank you on behalf of my colleagues for making the airport functional,” added the Speaker

The only Senator that graced the event, Senator Moses Cleopas, representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District also spoke glowingly of Governor Diri’s achievements.

Cleopas said he brought greetings from his colleagues, Senator Dickson of the PDP and Senator Eremioyo Degi of the APC and described Governor Diri, as a leader with vision.

“It is good to have leaders that have a vision,” said the senator, who reminded the audience of how former Governor Dickson started the airport project.

“This airport was built by former Governor Dickson and today the governor that miraculously took over from him has continued on that stride and worked on the same wavelength to see that the airport is practically put to use.

“This is the dividend of democracy; this is the dividend of continuity. We are today your foot soldiers at the National Assembly; we are all loyal to you,” Senator Claopas added.

King Diette Spiff, the Chairman, Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers in his remarks also congratulated Governor Diri for making history and the airport a reality in his lifetime. He advised Bayelsans to take advantage of the link up to the world, which would be a great economic booster.

“We should take advantage of this development, it will really boost our economy,” he noted.

Overwhelmed by the twist of fate his Airline’s name, the United Nigeria Airlines has on the search for unity among the politically tumultuous Bayesla elite, Chief Obiora Okonkwo, Chairman of the UNA, in his goodwill message noted that God has made it possible for his Airline to be part of the unity and linking the state to rest of the World.

“We never knew we would be the vehicle God would use in this special day to unite Bayelsa, the heart of Ijaw land, with the rest of the world.

But since it has pleased God to do so, I can only pray that this will be the beginning of your new economic development  “Flying is not just to get to where you are going, it also opens your world of economic opportunities. You are going to take advantage of all the tourism potentials that you have here,” Okonkwo said.

As expected, Governor Diri, whose speech attracted more ovation, said: “I have the pleasure of taking this historic maiden flight from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, and it is an agreeable expedient way to travel to Bayelsa State.”

While congratulating Bayelsans on the inaugural direct passenger flight to the Bayelsa International Airport, the governor noted that it was necessary to put in place some necessary protocols to achieve the certification to fly commercially into the airport.

He recalled how the pioneer civilian governor of the state, the late Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, gave birth to the idea to have an airport in Bayelsa State. According to him, other administrations that came after him took it up from where he stopped to its present completion.

“Whereas it was the combination of aspiration that birthed by His Excellency, Chief Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha of blessed memories and it transited to other administrations, in particular the administration of Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, it was under this administration this airport was fully crystallised.

“It is a demonstration of the fact that teamwork makes a dream work,” added Diri, stressing:  “We are truly indebted to all whose diligence, perseverance and stamina have brought us to this happy day.”

Reechoing his wish to make the state prosperity-oriented, the governor said beyond all of these, “it is our determination to make Bayelsa truly the glory of all lands. Whereas this may cause some amount of inconveniences to communities and commuters, it is not something we have to apologise because as you are aware, we have made Bayelsa State a construction site. We are bringing Yenagoa to the world and bringing the world to Yenagoa.”

Emphasising on the need for progress and unity among politicians in the state, the governor noted: “It is not a coincidence that we went for United Nigeria Airlines because God wants Bayelsa to be united.”

The governor also touched his vision for a prosperous Bayelsa.

“Our vision for prosperity is a reality. Bayelsa will prosper. The people of Bayelsa will prosper. Everything your hands touch will prosper. Prosperity is coming your way,” Governor Diri decreed, waxing spiritual like a pastor on the pulpit.

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