Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, on Wednesday, approved land for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to build its permanent training ground in the state.
The governor also undertook to fund the building of a boarding school and a primary school for the Nigeria Air Force in the state.
He directed the completion of documentation of the Certificate of Occupancy for the naval school’s permanent site.
The boarding school is to be completed at Zarama community, the primary school is at the Air Force Base while the training centre is at Angalabiri community, a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah revealed on Wednesday.
According to the statement, Diri gave the approval on Wednesday when the Chief of the Air Staff, Hassan Bala Abubakar, paid a courtesy visit to the Government House in Yenagoa.
He thanked the Air Force for collaborating with the state government to ensure security.
Diri said, “I thank the Nigeria Air Force for the successful collaboration and partnership with the state government. I, however, thank you especially for the last governorship election and your role to ensure that it was credible. Please keep it up and extend it to other states during the election.
“I have been very clear that I do not want any security agency to help me win election. Just play your role professionally and that is what you did.
“On the issues raised, the honourable Commissioner for Lands should ensure that the relevant documentations are completed for the land. The Commissioner for Education also ensures the completion of the primary school and the boarding school and hand over both schools to the Air Force without delay”.
Earlier, Chief of the Air Staff, Hassan Abubakar, said it was a homecoming for him as former head of the Mobility Command in Yenagoa.
Abubakar expressed gratitude to Diri for his support to the air force and commitment to security in the state, saying he was proud to be associated with the state government.
He appreciated the government for donating land for its permanent site as well as schools and appealed to the governor for the completion of all necessary documentation and handover of the projects.
