By; Mohammed Kawu, Bauchi
The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria FAAN has tasked the Bauchi state government to invest heavily in Yankari Resort & Safari by inviting one of the best hotels globally that would attract tourists to the resort centre.
According to the airport authority, most of the tourist centre in the world work with hotel brands, hence having such a hotel would market the yankari game reserve.
The FAAN was speaking weekend through its official, Alh. Lawal Abdullahi at the flags-off of Bauchi – Abuja scheduled three flight a week by the Rano Air that entered into agreement with the Bauchi state government for the air fleet.
Alh. Lawal Abdullahi who represented the airport authority at the occasion said, “Yankari Games Reserve is an untapped tourist attraction to Bauchi state.
“If the state can exploit this opportunity of having a brand hotel, it would also help the airline in attracting more flights to Bauchi, and even within Nigeria, the state can market to other organizations to hold their AGMs at the game reserve”.
The FAAN officer further explained that the hotel provision would attract more passengers to the airport and more tourists to the Yankari Resort and Safari, as he asked the Bauchi state government to act wisely through investments.
“In my own view, I think Bauchi state need a classic hotel, especially to attract patronage to the Yankari Games Reserve, I believe Yankari is an untapped tourist attraction to the state. I have been to Zambia where there was a Living Stone is a community in Zambia where they have a falls”.
“But to my surprise the airport there has three international flights, and in my own assessment, Yankari has better potentials than that Livingstone in Zambia”, he added.
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has while flagging-off the flight schedule, described transportation as lifeblood of every economy globally.
Senator Bala Mohammed also said that it is the believe of every sophisticated society that every ride on a public transport is a right step towards a sustainable economy.
The Governor attributed this feat in the transport sector to his administration’s unwavering commitment to make air travel an integral part of its policy of ensuring seamless and safe movement of goods, services, and people for the socioeconomic development of the state.
“Air transportation is a crucial artery for growth of industry and commerce, exchange of ideas and culture. Our government has invested heavily in roads network, but we recognize that air travel is equally essential”.
Governor Bala represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Auwal Mohammed Jatau, expressed gratitude to the Rano Airline for agreeing to partner with the Bauchi state government, to make Bauchi one of its destination.
Mohammed assured the Rano Airline that Bauchi state government would strictly adhere to the terms and conditions of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) entered into with the airline.
Speaking earlier the Rano Airline Managing Director, Alh. Lawan Sabo Bakin Zuwo said that the airline is now operating within eight states of the federation, including Bauchi, providing reliable flight services to passengers.
Alh. Lawan Bakin Zuwo assured that Rano air will remain committed in providing competitive air services to the good people of Bauchi state, and expressed gratitude for the support the Bauchi state is giving to the airline.
The son of Kano former governor expressed confidence that the partnership between Rano Air and the Bauchi state government would foster economic development and promote social interaction in the state and beyond
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