ValueJet (VK, Lagos) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigeria's central Plateau State, by which the young carrier has committed to providing connectivity between the state capital, Jos, and the federal capital, Abuja.
"We are happy to share that the Plateau State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU ) with ValueJet, securing a powerful presence on the coveted Jos-Abuja route," the airline disclosed on social media accompanied by a video of the signing ceremony at its Lagos head office attended by Managing Director Omololu Majekodunmi and Plateau State Commissioner of Transportation Davou Davou Gyang who represented the governor, Caleb Mutfwang.
According to the ch-aviation schedules module and the company website, ValueJet currently connects Jos four times weekly with Lagos. It also operates multiple daily schedules between Abuja and Lagos but, as yet, provides no direct links between Jos and Abuja. Arik Air (W3, Lagos) also serves Jos from Lagos while MaxAir (Nigeria) (VM, Katsina) offers flights to Abuja as well.
Vanguard News reported that Gyang promised the upgrade of Jos Airport, also known as Yakubu Gowon Airport. "Plans are underway to upgrade Jos Airport. With the passion that the governor has with available resources within the shortest time possible, you will see something very soon," he promised.
Conflict between local herders and farmers over grazing land, compounded by religious clashes between Muslims and Christians, has resulted in an ongoing security crisis in Plateau State. In the latest reported incident, 17 people were killed when gunmen attacked Heipang, a community in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State. Several countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, and Australia, have warned against travel to Plateau State due to criminal and militant activity and incidents of inter-communal violence.
However, according to numerous Nigerian media reports, Gyang viewed the provision of ValueJet flights to Abuja as critical for the economic development of Plateau State, which has a lack of air connectivity while road transportation was unsafe. "As someone who responds to the plight of his people in terms of safety and economic value of the travel between Jos and Abuja, he [the governor] found it expedient to have a very reliable flight that would be frequenting Abuja-Jos, to be able to boost the economic activities in the state and then to guarantee the safety of travellers," Gyang explained.
Majekodunmi said: "We have promised them that we want to see that this works, and I think other states should learn from it. We see to it until the route gets profitable and until people start to appreciate it. Now, they know that there is a safe way to get to Abuja."
Launched on October 10, 2022, ValueJet started serving Jos from Lagos in February 2023. It also connects Lagos twice daily with Port Harcourt City.
Its fleet comprises two in-house CRJ900s, one CRJ900ER, and one CRJ200ER(SF), both leased from Regional One. The freighter is currently in maintenance at Ljubljana, according to the ch-aviation fleets module.
