By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
Vice President Kashim Shettima has commissioned two newly acquired aircraft purchased by the Cross River State Government, increasing the fleet of the state-owned Cally Air to four.
The first two aircraft are still operated by Aero Contractors, while the newly purchased ones will be managed by Value Jet.
The commissioning took place at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar, where Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu, commended the state government for the milestone.
The Vice President also inaugurated the refurbished state-of-the-art state library in Calabar.
Speaking at the event, Governor Bassey Otu said his administration was consolidating on the efforts of his predecessors, Donald Duke, Liyel Imoke, and Ben Ayade.
“Donald Duke came with a tourism mentality, Senator Imoke focused on rural development, while Ayade looked at industries,” Otu said.
The governor noted that Ayade initiated the aviation business and purchased the first two aircraft.
“I am now building on their efforts. With these two new aircraft, we are poised to bolster the tourism potentials of the state,” he said.
Otu revealed plans to add two more aircraft soon, with the aim of dominating the Gulf of Guinea air route.