The Edo tourism sector has continued to attract attention from key investors and players in both the national and global economy, with United Nigeria Airlines set to commence flight operations to Benin City.
The commencement of the airline to Benin, the Edo State capital will further increasing the number of airlines operating into the State and subsequently boost business activities in the state.
The Benin route which has continued to enjoy increased passenger traffic in the wake of the opening up of the business space by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration according to the State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr. Uyi Oduwa-Malaka is responsible for the increase in resulted in business and tourist visits to the State.
According to the commissioner who led the management team of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), to visit the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at the Government House, Benin City, the visit to the governor was sequel to the series of engagements by her ministry with the management team of Oba Akenzua II Benin Airport.
She noted that the various engagements with the management were, “on fostering a mutually beneficial alliance with the government. This is with a view to improving the tourism potential and investment drive in the State.”
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FAAN, Kabir Yusuf Mohamed was represented at the meeting by the Director, Commercial and Business Development, Mr. Muyiwa Femi-Pearse.
Describing the outcome of the meeting as satisfactory to both parties, Uyi-Malaka declared: “we were therefore not surprised, but much elated to hear that the United Nigeria Airlines has just added Benin City to its flight routes.”
The Commissioner quoted the Managing Director of the United Nigeria Airline, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, as stating that; “the last seven years have witnessed sustained investment in tourism and has made Edo State the cynosure of all eyes and we have decided to partner with the state to grow her economy by commencing flights into the Benin Airport in the next few weeks.”
