The Yobe State Government has announced that the Damaturu International Cargo Airport is poised to commence commercial operations shortly.
Addressing journalists at the airport in Damaturu, the Managing Director, Engr. Muhammad Surajo Wakil, confirmed that preparations for the airport’s commercial launch are nearly complete. He emphasized that the fully operational airport will generate employment opportunities for local residents and boost the state’s economy.
Engr. Isyaka Lawan, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Energy, disclosed that the project has cost N39 billion since its inception in 2007. He highlighted that the airport features one of the longest and best-constructed runways in the country, measuring 3.3 kilometers with an additional 250-meter buffer on each end, totaling 4.1 kilometers.
Lawan reported that 95% of the project has been completed, including essential infrastructure such as the terminal building, runway, control tower, fire station, powerhouse, administrative block, and maintenance office.
The decision to build the cargo airport was driven by the absence of such facilities in the North-East region. Lawan noted that Yobe, being an agrarian state, stands to benefit significantly from the airport’s capacity to enhance economic activities. The state produces a variety of exportable crops, including beans, groundnuts, and sesame seeds.
Furthermore, Lawan pointed out that neighboring states could utilize the airport to transport goods domestically and internationally, thereby amplifying the airport’s economic impact on the region.
