The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) have signed an agreement to resume civil flight operations in Makurdi.

The signing of a memorandum of understanding for civil flight operations from Makurdi-Abuja-Lagos and Lagos-Abuja-Makurdi, took place on Monday in Makurdi.

FAAN legal director, Clifford Omozeghian, said the civil aviation operations, to begin in December, would serve as a catalyst of development in Benue, and promised that FAAN would deliver on the terms of the memorandum entered with the air force.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff, Ishaku Amao, pointed out that the decision to sign the joint user agreement was in fulfilment of their Corporate Social Responsibility.

Represented by James Gwani, the Air Officer Training and Operations, Mr Amao said the air force had enjoyed a good relationship with the Benue government and people over the years.

Also, Governor Samuel Ortom commended the air force and FAAN for allowing flight operations in the state, noting that the bad nature of Nigerian roads, coupled with insecurity had made air travel the safest in the country.

“I believe that with the resumption of flight operations, within a short time things would begin to change in the state and the state’s economy would also improve.

He said that NAF in particular had been of great support in the state, adding that facilities in the command, such as hospital, the aerodrome among others had been of great use to the people in the state.

(NAN)