Route development: Plateau Govt, ValueJets sign pact

Plateau State Government has identified partnership with airlines as one of the interventions needed to drive the economic development of the state.

The State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, who made this known Tuesday, August 15, said no efforts would be spared in identifying any initiative, including revving the deficit activities of air transportation in the state to open up its economy.

Speaking while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ValueJets Airlines as part of efforts to scale up development of the Jos/Abuja, Abuja-Jos route, Mutfwang said the partnership would save passengers, including the State Executive members, not only travel time, but also the huge risk of travelling by road to Abuja and beyond.

The Governor was represented at the ceremony by the  Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Jatau Davou Gyang.

According to Mutfwang, the pact with the carrier would enable it  gain a foothold on the Jos-Abuja route.

He said the parties would take steps  to ensure it sustains flights on the route.

Mutfwang described the deal as mutually rewarding, saying the initiative was critical to the development of the state, by reinforcing the administration’s policy thrust of opening up its economy.

He said: “We are all witnesses of the fact that movement between Jos and Abuja on the route has been disastrous, where commuters would be left with the choice of paying ransom talk more of road accidents."

“So, it is expedient to make Plateau people have some comfort and to also have economic values, guarantee the safety of the citizens of Plateau State who wish to travel to Abuja and by extension, to other places within the shortest possible time.”

Mutfwang said the State was mulling the idea of upgrading Jos Airport to boost its economy.

Speaking at the airline’s office in Ikeja, Lagos, its Managing Director, Capt. Omololu Majekodunmi, said the essence of the air pact was to deepen air transportation in the state.

He said: “We have promised them that we want to see that this works and I think other states should learn from it. We will see to it until the route gets profitable and until people start to appreciate it. Now, they know that there is a safe way to get to Abuja unlike before they go by road to or what other mode they used to get to Abuja.”