Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni, is seeking investors for the Damaturu Cargo International Airport, offering free land and other incentives to agro-allied businesses willing to invest in the region.
Speaking to LEADERSHIP via telephone, the DG press and media affair, Mamman Mohammed, stated that a 3.6-kilometre runway, a modern terminal building, and state-of-the-art aeronautical equipment, are required for the cargo airport.
He said that the Damaturu Cargo International Airport is poised to become a key hub for cargo operations in Nigeria, adding that the federal government did not take over the airport after eight years.
According to him, Yobe State is the largest producer of livestock in Nigeria, and the airport’s operation would open new avenues for exporting these products to neighbouring countries and global markets.
Buni also emphasised the airport’s potential to boost Yobe’s economy by facilitating the export of livestock and other agricultural products, which the state produces in large quantities.
The governor encouraged investors to take advantage of the airport’s facilities, particularly in building warehouses for storing farm produce and livestock intended for export.
Buni called on the federal government and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to expedite the approval process for the airport’s full operational status.
He added that, “ I want to use this opportunity to tell people that the state government handed over the Airport last year after commissioning, it’s not eight years, as the media said,” said Mamman.
The state government is pressing for a one-year permission for scheduled flights to kick-start regular operations, including Hajj flights.
He said the facility features the longest runway in Nigeria at 6.6 kilometres and DVOR installations comparable to those in top international airports like Dubai. The airport’s navigational aids and control tower equipment are also of the highest aeronautic.
Governor Buni is offering free land to investors interested in establishing agro-allied facilities, fuel farms, and other essential infrastructure at the airport.
The governor stressed the importance of maximising the airport’s potential, especially given Yobe’s strong agricultural base.
Mamman assured potential investors that the area is safe, with a military battalion stationed at the airport and a significant reduction in insurgency in the northeast.
