The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have completed and inaugurated its abandoned Port Harcourt regional office began 22 years ago.
The regional office building abandoned for over two decades was inaugurated by NCAA acting Director-General, Capt. Chris Najomo on Friday at the Port Harcourt International Airport.
The project which began in 2002 and remained at its carcass level was completed less than a year by Najomo.
Najomo said Port Harcourt is strategic as a hub for energy, commerce and tourism which necessitated the establishment of the world-class infrastructure to support our aviation sector.
He noted that the regional Office oversee operations at key airports and Airstrips in the region including Port Harcourt, Bayelsa, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Asaba, Anambra, Imo, Calabar, and Warri.
Najomo also promised to deliver on Kano Regional Office in weeks even as he promised to build a befitting regional office in Enugu.
He added: “As we celebrate this achievement, I urge all stakeholders to continue to work with us in shaping the future of aviation in Nigeria. Together, we will soar higher and make our skies safer and more efficient for all users.
“The commissioning of the Port Harcourt Regional Office building is a significant milestone for the NCAA and highlights the leadership of Acting DGCA Chris Najomo in ensuring the successful completion of this long-delayed project.”
Also, the Regional Manager, NCAA Port Harcourt, Mr. Oladipo Titus said the project which started over 20 years ago was looking like it was never going to be achieved.
He said: “Different managements sat on it and left. May we bring to your knowledge that, as a regulatory body in the Aviation industry, part of the things that will restore our staff confidence will be an office complex that is properly equipped with all necessary facilities.
“Often times, our staff and colleagues have gone on inspections and they were taunted by the operators reminding us of how we needed to close certain open items, obviously referring to our office