Twenty-three years after it was created the first aircraft on Thursday landed at the Bayelsa State International Airport in southern Nigeria. Thousands of excited Bayelsans celebrated the landing of Governor Seriake Dickson along with other guests, in the first airplane at the Bayelsa International Airport in Ammasoma, Southern Ijaw Council. 
According to the Governor, Seriake Dickson the 3.5 kilometer runway airport which is longest in Nigeria was built at the cost of over N65 billion.Dickson said it is the first aircraft to land in any airport in Izon land, the heartland of the Ijaws.
He said the clarification over the cost of the airport project had become necessary as of allegations peddled by Senator Heineken Logbobiri who said the project gulped between N120 to N150 billion.
Youths, children and men thronged out in their numbers to celebrate the project undertaken by the Dickson administration.A Boeing 737 operated by Air Peace Airline also touched down on the 3.5-kilometre runway about 1pm, minutes after the governor arrived the airport in a private aircraft to a rousing welcome from elated Bayelsans.
Dickson said the facility will open the state to the world; through attraction of investments; export of agricultural produce; tourism and other economic activities.He added he was more than excited to receive the first aircraft into the airport as a Valentine gift to the good people of the state as well as a fitting achievement to commemorate the seven years anniversary of Bayelsa.
He said the airport will resolve inconveniences associated with connecting flights by Bayelsans through neighboring states.
He said previous efforts by other governors to have done this did not materialize, hence the zeal and deterministic. By his administration to complete the airport in record time.
Though the airport has not been officially commissioned, Dickson said a date will be fixed to celebrate the infrastructural revolution in Bayelsa State.
Dickson said the airport will generate jobs for thousands of Bayelsa indigenes and others who are poised to contribute to the economic development of the state.
Senator Ben Murray Bruce said Bayelsa International Airport will stimulate economic growth for the state ; attract investment opportunities and boost tourism.
