Osubi Airport Re-Opens For Flight Operations 17months After Closure

Osubi Airport near Warri in Delta State re-opens for normal flight operations after it was of­ficially shut down in February 2020 under a new management of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) yesterday with it hosting its first plane, AirPeace Hopper with registra­tion number 5N-BUZ touching down at 8.40am.

Speaking at a brief reopen­ing ceremony, RT. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Speaker, DeltaState House of Assembly (DTHA) expressed happiness over the re-opening of the Airport in his Community of Okpe local gov­ernment area of Delta State.

In his remarks at the re-open­ing ceremony of the Airport shut down seventeen months ago, the Speaker described the moment as one of his happiest days on earth.

RT. Hon. Obrevwori added, “we are here to witness the re-making of history. I say this because on the 17th of April, 1999 when the Osubi Airport was commissioned. It was the first of its kind in the State. It attracted headlines as a major breakthrough in air transporta­tion in the State. Unfortunately, following controversy involving aviation service providers and management of the Airport, it was closed in February, 2020.”

According to him, “one year and five months after the shut­down, we are here gathered to witness the reopening of the Osubi Airport by the Federal Government. To me, this is a milestone for the State and Okpe Local Government Area in particular.”

He appreciated Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for making the reopening of the Airport a pri­ority by engaging the Federal Government and for keeping with his promise.

“His Excellency provided and installed all the safety requirements which include all procedures, practices and COVID – 19 protocols. His Ex­cellency also provided an am­bulance and made provisions for maintenance for the takeoff of the reopening of the Airport. Your Excellency sir, we are grateful to you. Our special ap­preciation also goes to the Min­ister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, for granting the approval for the reopening”.