Governors of the six North-East states have announced plans to establish a regional airline to improve connectivity and boost economic integration across the subregion.
The decision was contained in an 11-point communique issued at the end of the 13th regular meeting of the North-East Governors Forum (NEGF) held on Saturday in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Chairman of the forum and Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, disclosed that N15.8 billion has so far been secured as counterpart funding from the six states for the project.
Zulum said the remaining contributions are expected before the end of the year, raising the prospect of the proposed North-East Air Shuttle commencing operations soon.
According to the governors, the airline will provide a dedicated aviation link between Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe, reducing travel time and facilitating movement of investors, businesspeople and government officials.
The meeting, chaired by Governor Zulum and attended by governors of the six states, also welcomed the Federal Government’s renewed focus on the Port Harcourt-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Maiduguri rail corridor and called for accelerated completion of the Mambila Hydropower Plant.
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