The Bayelsa State Government has confirmed the acquisition of two aircraft to commence commercial flight operations at the Bayelsa International Airport.

Governor Douye Diri disclosed this on Monday during a courtesy visit by the Prime Minister of the State of Africa in Diaspora, Dr. Tin Louise-George, to the Government House in Yenagoa.

He said the aircraft would soon arrive and operate on the Yenagoa–Lagos and Yenagoa–Abuja routes.

Diri stated that his administration was committed to making the airport fully functional and commercially viable, adding that the move was part of broader efforts to enhance the state’s infrastructure and connectivity.

Welcoming Dr. Louise-George on his first visit to Nigeria and Bayelsa, the governor described the State of Africa in Diaspora as similar to the humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders, noting that his government was open to partnership in expanding the airport and developing a proposed smart city.

He said: “We are happy to have you in Bayelsa. I recall our fruitful virtual meeting in London, which was facilitated by my Technical Adviser, Prof. Oweikumo Eradiri. As an African government without borders, we believe your organisation has much to offer.

“We are working to ensure regular, daily flights at our airport. Previously, we had an arrangement with a private airline for Lagos and Abuja flights, but that deal almost collapsed, rendering the airport underutilised.

“Now, we have taken the bull by the horn, and as we speak, we are expecting two aircraft that the government has procured.

They will soon begin daily operations to Lagos and Abuja.”

The governor also highlighted the development of the “New Yenagoa City,” describing it as an ideal site for a smart city project aimed at boosting economic activity and livability in the state capital.

Earlier, Dr. Louise-George proposed development support and funding for selected projects in the state through a cooperation agreement.

He explained that the African Union had in 2003 recognised the Africa Diaspora as the continent’s sixth region, with over 350 million people of African descent living outside the continent.

According to him, his government represents this diaspora region, with a parliament and royal chamber working on programmes to strengthen ties between Africa and its diaspora.

“Our objective is to reinforce Africa through the diaspora and the diaspora through Africa,” he said. “We are happy to have this opportunity to come to Bayelsa State and Nigeria. We are ready to support and fund projects in aviation, smart city development, education, and healthcare.”

Louise-George added that his team had inspected the Bayelsa International Airport and expressed readiness to collaborate on its expansion and other strategic initiatives.