The Ekiti Agro-Allied Cargo Airport has been officially inaugurated on Saturday by the Aviation Minister, Haidi Sirika, on Saturday, the last day in office for Governor Kayode Fayemi.
Governor Fayemi will hand over power on Sunday 16 October, having completed his second tenure in Office as the Executive Governor of Ekiti State.
Also read; We are resolved to reclaim “Dangote’s” Obajana cement plant – Kogi State Government
The airport welcomed its first aircraft, a NAF 930, operated by the Nigerian Airforce. The aircraft flown by flight lieutenant Balogun conveying the Federal Government delegation landed around 10.20am on Saturday.
The airport occupies a 5,000-hectare of land along the Ado-Ijan road in the state capital, not far from Afe Babalola University and Federal Polytechnic in the city.
According to Fayemi, who was speaking at the commissioning, the airport is a dream come true, not only for this administration but also for Ekiti-kete and the generation yet unborn.
He stated that the Airport boast a CAT-9 4E category with a capacity for wide-bodied Aircraft like Boeing 747-400 and a runway length of 3.2km.
“This airport will open Ekiti to the world and stimulate the growth of other sectors such as tourism, agriculture and commerce. There are also medical tourist opportunities using the world-class facilities at Afe Babalola University. Ekiti Agro-Cargo Airport will complement the Murtala Mohammed International airport in Lagos in service, most especially in the agro-dominated South Western region of Nigeria.
“This is in addition to increased economic activities through the provision of employment by annexing the commercial draw-down values associated with air transportation. Despite the lean resources of the state, with prudence and natural endowment, the oak has sprung up in the desert. Ekiti has been well positioned on the Aviation world Map with this vision. I welcome you all to Ekiti Agro-Cargo International Airport, Ado-Ekiti. Certainly, a dream has come true! “ Governor Fayemi stated while talking about the airport.
The airport was built by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nigeria Limited, and was valued at N20 billion at the time of the groundbreaking ceremony in 2019.
At the inauguration event, Aviation Minister Sirika announced to the excited audience that the Federal Government would site a cargo facility at the airport. He described the Ekiti Airport as “an extremely very important project” which would turn facilitate import and export of goods and commodities.
In his welcome address, Mr. Zhang Ziche, the Chairman of CCECC explained that the airport is not just a project but “the engine of the economy of the state” said it would open up Ekiti to more development and investment to the benefit of the state and business community.
The CCECC boss who also described the airport as a “landmark project” said it was among notable projects completed by its corporation. He also hailed the Aviation Minister for being part of history and making the airport a reality.
The airport was first conceptualized in the first tenure of Governor Fayemi in 2012, with a committee on the viability of the airport lead by Aare Babalola submitted its report in 2012.
Nnamdi Maduakor is a Writer, Investor and Entrepreneur
