BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) staff in Port Harcourt are celebrating a milestone achievement as the desolate regional office accommodation, left unfinished for over two decades, has been completed and officially commissioned.
The building, located at the Port Harcourt International Airport, was inaugurated on Friday by Acting Director General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo.
Originally started in 2002, the project had remained at carcass level until Capt. Najomo, within less than a year of assuming office, ensured its completion.
In his remarks during the commissioning, Capt. Najomo highlighted the strategic importance of Port Harcourt as a hub for energy, commerce and tourism.
The Port Harcourt Regional Office oversees operations at critical airports and airstrips in the region, including Port Harcourt, Bayelsa, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Asaba, Anambra, Imo, Calabar, and Warri.
Captain Najomo also reaffirmed his commitment to completing other regional projects, announcing that the Kano Regional Office would be ready in weeks, with plans for a state-of-the-art office in Enugu underway.
“As we celebrate this achievement, I urge all stakeholders to continue to work with us in shaping the future of aviation in Nigeria.
Together, we will soar higher and make our skies safer and more efficient for all users,” Capt. Najomo said.
Elated staff noted that the commissioning of the Port Harcourt office exemplifies Captain Najomo’s proactive leadership and determination to resolve long-standing challenges within the NCAA.
The Regional Manager of NCAA’s Port Harcourt Office, Mr. Oladipo Adebisi Titus, praised the completion of the project, which he said had seemed unattainable for years.
“This project, started over 20 years ago, looked like it was never going to be achieved. Different NCAA management sat on it and left.
“As a regulatory body in the aviation industry, part of what restores staff confidence is having an office complex properly equipped with all necessary facilities,” he explained.
Titus further noted that staff morale had often been dampened by taunts from operators during inspections, where staff were reminded of the agency’s own unresolved issues.
The newly commissioned office, equipped with modern facilities and a professional ambiance, has significantly boosted staff confidence and morale.
