…reveals how recruitment was done
Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Special Duties and Aviation Development, Mr Akan Okon, has stated that birth of the state-owned Airline, Ibom Air, will further enhance economic activities, especially, for Akwa Ibom people.
At a Media interaction held shortly after the Official Inauguration and Unveiling of the Airline, at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, yesterday, Mr Akan Okon noted that the Airline, through its regular flight schedules, will reduce the cost of doing business outside the State.
While citing other benefits of the Airline, the Commissioner said it will create about 400 direct and indirect jobs for unemployed youths in the State, maintaining the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel was conscious of the employment opportunities that the Airline will bring, before embarking on the project.
“One of the economic value of Ibom Airline is that cost of doing business will be significantly reduced for our people. For example, if you have a meeting in Abuja tomorrow, you have to leave today and after your meeting you have to pay accommodation again because you won’t be able to return same day. But what we are going to do with Ibom Airline will make it possible for you to go attend your meetings in Abuja in the morning and in the evening, you come back, thereby saving you a lot of money.
“Governor Udom Emmanuel has tackled development in a way that he’s conscious of the number of employment opportunities that he will generate for our teeming unemployed youths”, he said.
About the recruitment process, the Commissioner who revealed that Ibom Airline is operated as a Limited Liability Company, said the recruitment was conducted
in line with best practices in the aviation industry and refuted insinuations that the inauguration of the Airline was for political gains.
“Ibom Airline is a limited Liability Company and it not government that conducted the interview. The recruitment process is in line with best practices as obtained in the global aviation industry. We have recruited the very best. Advertorials were made, people applied, went through interviews and aptitude tests and those who came out successful were taken. There are standards in the Aviation industry, so even as the Aviation Commissioner, I have not recommended anyone. Just go and apply, if you’re qualified, you’ll be taken.
“For us as a State, we’re very happy that after going for headhunting, for the position of the Captain, we were able to identify a qualified Akwa Ibom son to be the Chief Pilot of the Airline, the Cabin Executive are Akwa Ibom Children”, he said.
He said the Airline will begin operations after the patrol flight by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), revealing that aside the two Aircrafts that landed during the Inauguration, another one is expected on Friday.
“We’re expecting the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority because when you operate a new Airline, it is expected that you’ll do what is called patrol flight on the routes that you’re expected to fly. When once that is done, they’ll sign off for the Airline to commence operations. Ibom Airline has come to stay, the planes are as good as new. Two of the Airplane came today (Wednesday) and by Friday, another one will land”, he added.
He commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for the experiences he has brought to bear in governance, saying, “Governor Udom Emmanuel deserves commendations. I have heard the stories on social media. Akwa Ibom seems to be a very peculiar state, that no matter the good thing you do, people will come up with funny stories. We’re very lucky to have Udom Emmanuel as the Governor of this State.”
Earlier at the official Commissioning of the Aircrafts, Governor Udom Emmanuel, in his speech, thanked God for the successes so far recorded in his administration and expressed satisfaction that part of his blueprints for Akwa Ibom people has materialized.
Former Governor of the State, Arch. Victor Attah lauded Governor Emmanuel for not abandoning projects of his predecessors, saying, “Udom has confirmed today that the only way to run a government is not only as a business but as a successful business.”
The event was attended by Nigeria’s Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, State Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Onofiok Luke, Chairman of Ibom Air, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, members of the State Executive Council, among other dignitaries.
