Air Chief declares Makurdi Airport runway open to civil operations

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has declared the Makurdi Military Airfield open to civil flight operations, after the successful completion of repair work on the runway and ancillary facilities.

NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, announced this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Abubakar, before declaring the runway open to civil operation was taken on an inspection tour of the completed works by AVM Oladayo Amao, Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command.

Amao told Sadique that the scope of the rehabilitation work covered refreshing of the sealant for the concrete slab joints on the runway.

“Taxiways and Apron as well as the resurfacing of cracked portions of the manoeuvring area, re-marking of the Runway and erosion control, among others, were done.

After the inspection, Abubakar commended the AOC TAC for effective supervision of the project and also congratulated the NAF Works Centre Abuja, which had executed the project through direct labour, for doing a good job.

He said the repairs, which had necessitated the closure of the Airfield to civil flight operations, as published in relevant Notices to Airmen, were aimed at improving flight safety in accordance with global best practices.

“As well as in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation regulations,” he said.