Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello,hasreiterated his commitment to making Minna Airport a credible and permanentalternative to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

He stated this after inspecting the on-going state government intervention at ensuring the functionality and the comfort of passengers in the airport.

The Governor had been mounting pressure on the Federal Government and aviation authorities to use the Minna Airport as alternative to the closed capital airport in view of its proximity to Abuja.

Gov. Sani Bello,who expressed satisfaction with work at the airport, also said that “with the level of work done, we have reduced the hardship of air travellers and we are doing it for the sake of our people. My interaction with some passengers today showed that they are happy with our intervention.”

In order to ensure comfort and to position the airport as alternative to Abuja, Niger State government has mounted a temporary VIP lounge, a waiting room, departure hall, fitted with security gadget for screen of passengers and a mosque.

The Governorsaid the state government had to come to the rescue six years after the airport has been abandoned by the federal authority.

Elated by the usage of the airport by some local airlines, the Governor said the intervention on repairing the Minna-Suleja Road will further enhance the viability of the airport as it will only take passengers about one and half hours to Abuja from the airport.

“With the level of work on Minna-Suleja Road by Niger State Road Maintenance Agency and the contractor, the repairs on that road should be completedin two weeksand it will make transporting of passengers from Minna Airport by road easier, faster and cheaper because of its proximity to Abuja,” he said.

Governor Bellocalled on the Federal Government to ensure that the abandoned Minna Airport is accorded attention to enable it serve it primary function as alternative airport to Abuja.