The Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport, Abuja was agog Thursday, as the Cross River State commercial airliner, Cally Air made its maiden landing.

Governor of Cross River State, Sir Ben Ayade who was at the tarmac for the historic touchdown of the aircraft expressed excitement over the flight which earlier left the Murtala Mohammed International airport Lagos for Abuja.

Ayade who boarded the plane upon landing, for inspection, said he was happy that the CallY Air dream which started in 2016 was a reality without any borrowing by the government, adding that intellectual money made procurement of the aircrafts possible.

The governor while congratulating the people of Cross River state for the feat said: “This is the beginning of Cross River state’s emancipation and complete decoupling from dependence on the federal government. My strong conviction is that Cally Air is the beginning of the privatization process of actually creating a private sector that never existed before. It is also the beginning of creating an alternative economy that never existed in Cross River state”.

Ayade further said that the Cally Air reality was a strong message that sub-nationals could actually become fully independent, observing that the Airliner was going to increase passenger traffic to Cross River state and the Obudu international airport which he disclosed would be completed by December, 2021.

“Let the people know today that anything your mind conceives can be achieved. Cally Air will also be flying Obudu and Obudu cattle ranch will have its huge traffic.”

According to the governor, Cally Air involvement in the Nigeria’s aviation industry would increase the industry standards for other aviators to follow while ensuring safety and punctuality remained paramount.

His words: “Even if I, as the governor, is late for boarding by one minute, the planes have to shut their doors and leave me on the ground. It is a commitment that I give that no one single Cross Riverian will have the right to keep this aircraft on the ground for one second. Leave as soon as its due. What I want is Cally on the dot”.

Onboard the CallyAir maiden flight to Abuja was the Cross River state commissioner for Aviation, Dr. Jake Otu Enyia. His finance counterpart, Asuquo Ekpenyong (Jnr.) was also at the Abuja airport with governor Ayade to witness the historic event.

The CallyAir Boeing 737-300 comes with special GPS system, best of its kind in use, and state-of-the-art communication system. It is the most successful aircraft type in the Boeing history and is renowned for having the highest safety record.

President Muhamadu Buhari says rail transport is one of his administration’s priority. The President said this during the ground breaking ceremony of the Kano -Kaduna rail project.

According to the President, the take off of the project signifies the commitment of his administration to the revival of Nigeria’s railway system to “reduce the deficiency in our transportation infrastructure and drive effective and more efficient transportation of passengers and freight within the country.”
He further said, “this railway connection when completed will establish the ports in Lagos, as the choice for import and export business of the people of landlocked Niger Republic. This would positively drive our economies through employment from new business opportunities and wealth creation.”

On his part, the minister of transport,Rotimi Amaechi in his speech, said the 203 km rail project had already given employment to 20,000 Nigerians.
“The project will no doubt improve the standard of living of citizens within its corridor, create employment and promote trade. In the long term the railway will help decongest the Lagos Port Complex and increase its efficiency as well as further increase the viability of the Inland Dry Ports located in Ibadan, Kaduna and Kano”.
Amaechi shed more light on the scope of the project.

‘The scope of the railway project involves a 203km double track standard gauge railway from Kano to Kaduna. The railway along this route traverses the major cities of Kaduna, Zaria and Kano with three (3) railway stations both for passenger and freight services at Rigachukun, Zaria and Kano with varying capacities and categories’.

“This project will link the Federal Capital, Abuja with the Commercial city of Kano and also link the ongoing Kano – Maradi project. The outstanding addendum, Ibadan – Abuja, will link the Sea Ports in Lagos to Maradi, Niger Republic. This I believe will greatly boost trade between the two countries and foster economic development. This railway line, will present an opportunity for Nigerians to traverse between Abuja and Kano via Kaduna with relative ease’.

Governor of Kano state Abdullahi Ganduje expressed appreciation to the President for granting his state the privilege of the rail project which he said will impact heavily on the people of Mano state.
The event was graced by the Emir of Kano, HRH Aminu Ado Bayero, the Emir of Zazzau and other traditional leaders.Also present were some Ministers and Senators.
The Kano – Kaduna railway project is a part of the third and outstanding segment of the Lagos ~ Kano railway modernization project. The first segment, Abuja – Kaduna Railway line, was flagged-off for commercial operation in July, 2016 and just recently, the second segment, Lagos – Ibadan railway line was commissioned for
commercial operation precisely on June 10 2021.