By Auwalu Yusuf
Birnin Kebbi – The Kebbi Government on Wednesday said it spent N44.8 million to provide additional safety equipment at the state-owned Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi.
The state’s Commissioner for Works and Transport, Alhaji Atiku Bunu, disclosed this during ministerial news briefing with journalists in Birnin Kebbi.
He said “the Kebbi Government bought a 5,000-litre capacity fire fighting vehicle at the cost of N30 million and spent N14 million to install ultra-model landing facilities at the airport.
“We are committed and determined to make the airport one of the busiest in terms of patronage and the safest in taking-off and landing.”
Bunu added that the state government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the management of Azman Airline for four flight shuttles between Kebbi and Abuja in a week.
In a related development, the commissioner told newsmen that the state government had released N3 million for repairs of a 300-capacity ferry boat to enhance water transportation.
He said the boat was leased to a private water transport organisation, Dawanau Group, at the cost of N1.5 million per annum, adding that the group would be responsible for the repairs.
He noted that water transportation was one of the key areas that deserved government’s attention.
He said that the government would supply additional ferry boats in the coastal areas of Yauri, Illo and Lolo in Bagudo Local Government Area.
