By  Kenneth Ehigiator
The Federal Government has ordered the re-opening of Bebi Strip, Obudu, Cross Rivers State, some four years after it was shut down, in the aftermath of the crash of Beechcraft 1900 D plane.

The aircraft was on its way to the strip when it crashed not too far away, killing all three crew members.

Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, who gave the order after inspecting facilities at the strip yesterday,  expressed satisfaction with its readiness for light aircraft operations.

The minister, who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Aviation, Ms. Anne Ene-Ita, and Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, and other parastatal chiefs, said the air strip had all necessary equipment for safe flight operations.

Special Assistant to the minister, Mr. Joe Obi, said in a statement yesterday:   “The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has ordered the reopening of the Bebi Airstrip, Obudu in Cross River State.

“The reopening follows the inspection of the airstrip yesterday by the Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, to ascertain the state of readiness of the facility for light aircraft operations.

“The Minister, who was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Ms Anne Ene-Ita, the Director-General of NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren, and other parastatal heads, expressed satisfaction with the state of equipment at the airstrip.

“With the DVOR in place, runway lights, adequate fire cover and radio equipment, the facility has been notamed open by the NCAA.”

Prior to closure of the strip, Aerocontractors operated regular flights for tourists visiting Obudu cattle ranch.

Although the strip was under the klieglight of the federal government, as it had officials of the Federal Airports Authority, FAAN, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, and even the regulatory agency providing oversight, it was basically owned and maintained by the Cross Rivers State government, which used it was a mechanism to drive patronage for Obudu Cattle Ranch and its tourism sector generally.