The newly appointed Managing Director, Bayelsa International Airport, AVM Nelson Calmday, rtd, has said that plans were on by the state government to float an airline.
Calmday said this on Tuesday in Amassoma, Bayelsa during his maiden meeting with top management staff, regulatory bodies and service providers of the airport.
The new MD said the state government had given a charge that the airport, henceforth, operate as a viable business entity.
According to him, in terms of service delivery, the airport can hardly be rated high, considering that six years after, only one operator-The United Nigeria Airline, makes two regular landings in Yenagoa weekly.
His words: “We need to collectively do better because the Governor, Duoye Diri, desires that this facility henceforth operates as a viable business entity due to a Bayelsa Air Carrier coming soon.
“I am not unaware of the challenges associated with becoming a Base Station, some of which include the establishment of a modest hangar for minor aircraft maintenance.
“Sufficient BFI’s for aviation fuel, provision of serviceable fire tenders and Crash Ambulances as well as Apron Hooks for mooring parked aircraft, to mention a few.
“Besides these however, the crux of the matter is in the structure, training and discipline of available manpower. It’s my priority that training becomes a norm,” Calmday said.
He said that unethical staff behaviour, such as absenteeism, disregard for employment and deployment rules, loitering and any other misconduct would no longer be tolerated.
At the maiden meeting was the Manager of the Bayelsa International Airport, Elizabeth Akpama.