By Shedrack Frank
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa has given approval for educational, residential and other projects for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Bayelsa.
The governor gave the approval on Wednesday during a courtesy visit of Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, in Yenagoa.
The projects include completion of a boarding school at Zarama Community, in Yenagoa Local Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa, Primary School at the Air Force Base and a Training Centre at Angalabiri community, in Sagbama LGA.
The governor also directed the completion of documentation for approval of the Certificate of Occupancy of the permanent site of the Air Force, near the Bayelsa Airport.
He further directed the relevant commissioners to ensure that all the projects were completed and handed over without delay.
The governor, who noted some of the projects were started during the previous administration, said his administration had not abandoned any project, including those inherited from his predecessor.
Diri, expressing appreciation to NAF for its collaboration with the state government, said it contributed to peace in the state and therefore called for more partnership.
He also lauded the Air Force and the military in general for their roles in ensuring a free and credible governorship election in the state, adding his desire had always been for the right things to be done.
He said: “I thank the Nigerian Air Force for the successful collaboration and partnership with the state government.
“I thank you especially for the last governorship election and your role to ensure that it was credible. Please keep it up and extend it to other states during election.
“On the issues raised, the Commissioner for Lands should ensure that the relevant documentations are completed for the land.
“Commissioner for Education should also ensure the completion of the primary school and the boarding school and hand over both schools to the Air Force without delay,” he said.
Earlier, Chief of the Air Staff, Abubakar said it was a homecoming for him as former head of the Mobility Command, in Yenagoa.
He expressed gratitude to Gov. Diri for his support to the Air Force and commitment to security in the state, saying he was proud to be associated with the state government.
Abubakar expressed appreciation to the government for donation of land for the Air Force permanent site as well as schools and appealed to the governor for completion of all necessary documentation and hand over of the projects.
He assured that the Air Force would remain a reliable partner in progress with Bayelsa.
(NAN)
