Wachakal Airstrip, Nguru, Yobe to Be Ready Soon-FG

The federal government has said the Wachakal Airstrip, Nguru, Yobe State, is 85 per cent completed.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, disclosed this during a test flight on the airstrip recently.

Meribole, who was represented by the Director of Aerodrome Development, Clement Awogbami, highlighted that despite the inflations that caught up with the project, which led to its review, coupled with challenges of limited resources, the Federal Government started the project about a year ago and, a significance progress has been recorded.

According to the Permanent Secretary, the design for the airstrip is expected to have Doppler Very High-Frequency Omni Range (DVOR) equipment to guide aircraft coming into the runway.

He explained that because of the foreign component involved in its manufacturing, it will take some time to acquire it and would be installed as soon as it’s delivered.

In his words: “We are hoping that the DVOR will be installed in the next three months. Once that is done, then the airstrip will be officially ready for use.

While stating the economic benefits of the project, he said: “This type of project is designed for the purpose of security; it will enhance security surveillance, it will also aid VIP movement, assist in medical evacuation in case of emergency and also for agricultural purposes. It is expected that the project, when ready and in use, will contribute to the country’s GDP.”

The Emir of Nguru, Mustapha Ibn Mai Kyari, commended the government for the project, adding that the project would boost the economy of the community as well as reduce the unemployment rate among youths.