NCAA Urges Gombe Airport Upgrades for 2026 Hajj

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), represented by Ango Shehu Moham, has urged for the urgent upgrading of Gombe Airport facilities ahead of the 2026 Hajj operations. This appeal was made during a courtesy visit to Gombe State's government, where Professor Ibrahim Njodi, the Secretary to the State Government, acknowledged the administration of Governor Muhammadu Yahaya for prioritizing aviation development.

Moham emphasized the necessity for further investment in safety infrastructure, identifying critical areas needing attention, including the provision of high-capacity firefighting vehicles and modern navigational equipment to support accurate aircraft landings. He noted that these enhancements are essential for the airport to function optimally, especially as the airlift for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage approaches.

Njodi explained that the state government's pace of intervention had been previously slow due to federal government plans for the airport, which is awaiting full takeover. The state government has recently awarded a contract worth N600 million for airport fence renovation, and Njodi assured the NCAA team of the government's commitment to addressing identified gaps upon receiving their report.