The Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, has said that Port Harcourt city in Rivers State plays a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of Nigeria and needs more attention.

Najomo stated this while inaugurating the NCAA regional office complex in Port Harcourt, 20 years after the project was initiated by previous management.

The office complex, which was initiated in 2004, was abandoned by the previous management of the Authority, a development that affected the administrative services of the Authority.

Speaking, Najomo said the inauguration of the Port Harcourt regional office marks another milestone in its commitment to advancing aviation safety, security, and service delivery in Nigeria.

He said that Port Harcourt’s strategic position as a hub for energy, commerce, and tourism necessitated the establishment of world-class infrastructure to support its aviation sector.

He said, “Port Harcourt, the treasure of Nigeria’s oil and gas, has always played a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of our great nation. Its strategic importance as a hub for energy, commerce, and tourism necessitates the establishment of world-class infrastructure to support our aviation sector.

“The new facility embodies our resolve to decentralise operations and bring services closer to stakeholders, ensuring a seamless flow of communication and operations within this vital region. With this office, we aim to enhance oversight, improve response times, and strengthen
collaboration with airlines, operators, and other aviation stakeholders in the South-South region.

“We are not merely inaugurating a building; we are laying the foundation for enhanced operational excellence. This transformative structure will serve as a beacon of our dedication to fostering safety and compliance while providing a conducive environment for our staff to perform their duties efficiently and productively.”

He commended the efforts of everyone who he said contributed to the project, saying that their dedication and professionalism have made the completion of the project possible.

Earlier, the Port Harcourt Regional Director of NCAA, Oladipo Adebisi Titus, said the construction of a befitting office complex for the agency was seemingly becoming impossible.

He said that the project started over 20 years ago and was looking like it was never going to be achieved.

He said that previous management had sat on the project, making it impossible to achieve.

He noted that oftentimes aviation operators had mocked the staff of the Authority over its inability to procure a befitting office complex, saying that as a regulatory body in the aviation industry, part of the things that will restore its staff confidence will be an office complex that is properly equipped.