By John Umeh
The Bayelsa State Government has finalized the purchase of two brand-new aircraft to kickstart commercial flight operations at the Bayelsa International Airport, signaling a major revival of the state’s aviation sector.
Governor Douye Diri made the announcement on Monday while receiving the Prime Minister of the State of Africa in Diaspora, Dr. Tin Louise-George, at the Government House in Yenagoa.
According to the governor, the newly acquired planes are expected to commence scheduled flights between Yenagoa, Lagos, and Abuja, ensuring consistent connectivity for business and leisure travelers.
“We are fully committed to making the Bayelsa International Airport functional and profitable,” Diri said. “The government has taken bold steps by acquiring two aircraft that will soon begin daily flights to Lagos and Abuja. This will open new economic doors for our people.”
Diri explained that earlier partnerships with private airlines to operate flights at the airport were unsustainable, leading the state to take direct responsibility for its operations. He said the move will not only boost transportation but also attract investment and tourism to Bayelsa.
He welcomed Dr. Louise-George and his delegation, describing their visit as timely and strategic. The governor expressed readiness to collaborate with the State of Africa in Diaspora on areas such as aviation development, smart city planning, education, and healthcare projects.
“Our airport is a critical gateway to development. When you have efficient air transport, steady power, and water infrastructure, a city becomes viable for business and comfortable for living,” he noted.
In his response, Dr. Tin Louise-George praised Governor Diri for his developmental drive and offered to facilitate technical and financial partnerships for key state projects.
He disclosed that the State of Africa in Diaspora, officially recognized by the African Union in 2003 as its “sixth region,” represents over 350 million people of African heritage living outside the continent.
“Our mission is to reconnect Africa with its diaspora and bring development to local communities,” Louise-George said. “Bayelsa has shown vision and potential, and we look forward to meaningful collaboration.”
The Bayelsa International Airport, commissioned in 2019, had struggled with inconsistent operations in recent years. With the arrival of the two new aircraft, the government says the facility will soon operate full-scale commercial services — a move expected to stimulate trade, tourism, and economic growth in the Niger Delta region.
