Gov Diri Presents State-of-the-Art Fire Truck To Bayelsa Airport, Says Second Aircraft Will Arrive Soon
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has presented a 2026 model state-of-the-art firefighting truck to the Bayelsa International Airport as part of efforts to strengthen safety and operational capacity at the facility.
Governor Diri presented the modern firefighting vehicle to the Managing Director of the Bayelsa International Airport, Air Vice Marshal Nelson Calmday (retd.), on Thursday at the Government House in Yenagoa.
The governor said the equipment, procured from Germany, was among the best available and would significantly enhance firefighting and emergency response capabilities at the airport.
Diri said: “To those of us not technically inclined, we would have taken this to be some kind of war equipment. Seeing it from the ordinary eyes, you would not actually believe that it is a firefighting equipment. I know we have the best of the state-of-the-art firefighting truck.”
He expressed confidence that the new equipment would improve safety and enhance the effective operation of the airport.
Receiving the truck, AVM Calmday explained that the airport had previously requested a water tanker for firefighting operations, but Governor Diri went beyond the request by providing a modern 2026 firefighting truck.
According to him, the airport had two fire tenders, but one had become unserviceable, creating the need for additional firefighting equipment.
He said the newly acquired truck was superior to a conventional water tanker, as it carries a larger quantity of firefighting foam and water, making it more effective in responding to emergencies.
Second Aircraft to Arrive Soon
Meanwhile, Calmday disclosed that the delivery of the state’s second aircraft had been delayed by the procurement and installation of its main landing gear.
He said the aircraft would be flown from Morocco to Nigeria once the landing gear installation was completed.
The aircraft, an ATR 72-600, similar to the first aircraft already acquired by the state, will be delivered to Pioneer Airlines, the airline operating the state-owned aircraft.
The airport management expressed optimism that the arrival of the second aircraft would further strengthen Bayelsa’s aviation operations and improve connectivity for residents and visitors to the state.
