In a bid to ensure that appropriate actions are taken for the Asaba International Airport to meet required standards stipulated by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), members of the Delta State Executive Council have paid an inspection visit to the airport.

Addressing journalists after the inspection of the runway and the taxi way, the Commissioner for Works in the state, Chief James Augoye, said the visit of the team of commissioners was a decision reached at the state executive council meeting, disclosing that far-reaching decisions would be taken on the airport.

He assured Deltans and those who patronise the airport that appropriate measures are being taken to ensure that the airport does not only accommodate small aircrafts but, would be upgraded to accommodate bigger aircrafts in the likes of Boeing 747 in the nearest future.

Chief Augoye flanked by the Commissioner for Water Resources, Chief Fidelis Tilije; that of Basic and Secondary Education Ministry, Hon. Chiedu Ebie; Commissioner for Energy, Barr. Newworld Safugha; Commissioner in charge of Directorate of Science and Technology, Mr. Joyce Overa; that of Economic Planning, Mr. Kingsley Emu and his Ministry of Transport counterpart, Mr. Vincent Uduaghan, asserted that the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration believes in excellence and would ensure that Deltans gets the best at all times.

“It is feasible to complete this project within the next six months, we are here on the spot assessment, this inspection will enable us see what we can do for contractors to speed up the level of work being done,” he said.

Continuing, he said: “We are not going to compromise on quality, we have also said that only competent contractors who have track record of quality job delivery would be patronized by this administration, we are confident that Deltans will get the best because, they deserve the best.”

Earlier in an interactive session with the contractors cum consultants handling the project – the ULO Construction Company, Levant Construction Company, CCC Construction Company, China Geology Cooperation (C.G.C), among others, the Project Director for the Airport, Mr. Austin Ayemidejor, stated that the airport which has a runway of 3.4 km by 60 meters wide and a taxi way of 1.7 kilometres was enjoying a lot of patronage from travelers since it commenced operations, asserting, “once the remedial work on the runway as directed by NCAA is completed Asaba airport will be one of the best in the country.”

•Photo shows Asaba Airport.