Crew member, Yakub Ismaila (left); Flight Captain, Oscar Ikeriomu; Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele; wife of Vice President, Dolapo Osinbajo; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Governor Dapo Abiodun; his wife, Bamidele and Flight Pilot, Amar Mohamedin after the first commercial airplane landed at the Gateway International Agro Cargo Airport at Ilishan-Iperu Road, Ikenne Local Council, Ogun State…yesterday.
Osinbajo, Sirika, and others laud Abiodun’s administration
Gateway Agro-Cargo Airport, located along Iperu-lishan road in Ikenne Local Council, Ogun State, yesterday, witnessed the first commercial flight. Speaking at the event, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, noted that the airport marked the actualization of a dream by former Governor Gbenga Daniel, adding that the development of the airport is in alignment with his administration’s desire to provide a conducive atmosphere for industries to not only berth in the state but to record success.
Abiodun, who disclosed that the choice of the location would allow for easy access from different parts of the state, added that the Eastern and Northern regions of the country could also be accessed from the airport.
The governor, who added that the country is pursuing strategies to promote the export of goods and services, noted that the Ogun International Agro Cargo Airport would be critical in achieving the objective.
While noting that the airport is part of an integrated development program aimed at unleashing the full potential of the state, he added that his administration is also pursuing the commencement of a dry port in Kajola in Ogun Central Senatorial District.
The state helmsman added that his administration is also pursuing the construction of the Olokola Port, disclosing that he has no doubt that the port would help to decongest the Apapa Port.
“Another complementary transportation infrastructure project being pursued is the development of the dry port at Kajola in Ogun Central. This dry port will be on the Lagos/Ibadan rail line in the Kajola Free Trade Zone (FTZ), which was also established by Otunba Gbenga Daniel.
“We have also commenced the process of constructing the Olokola Port. This will go a long way in easing port congestion and making Apapa Port more efficient. No doubt, this airport will become the alternative airport to the Murtala Muhammad International Airport and is already being considered as the terminal for non-oil exports in the country,” he submitted.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo described the airport as a world-class project worthy of emulation. Osinbajo also disclosed that the Kajola Dry Port would become operational in a few months’ time.
The VP noted that the state had taken a huge step in fulfilling the dreams of the forebears to have a vibrant, modern, and industrious community, describing the cargo airport as the dream of the state, which is the engine room of the nation’s economy, commerce and business.
“This airport isn’t just the best in Nigeria, it is a world-class airport that we are here to see. Ogun has definitely taken a huge step in fulfilling the dreams of our forebears, the dreams of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and others, the dreams of a vibrant modern and industrious community leaving together in peace and prosperity, a dream of Ogun State that is the engine room of our nation’s economy and our nation’s commerce and business.
“In a few months, the Kajola Dry Port will also be operational and I am confident that this airport will transform the entire South West region and serve as a catalyst for economic growth and development of our nation and sub-region,” he said.
Osinbajo, who noted that an airport is only infrastructure for building a dynamic economic area, said that the government is poised to provide facilities for a world-class economic zone.
The Vice President, while noting that the airport would serve the special agro-processing zone, which was recently established through the generous assistance of the African Development Bank (AfDB), disclosed that an airport is an essential tool in the preparation of the country for full participation as serious players in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Abubakar Sirika, in his remarks, disclosed that airports have a way of connecting business, noting that the airport is a product of people who sat down to think about what could be done to improve the socio-economic development of the people of the state.
Sirika, who noted that the gains of the airport won’t be seen at the moment, but in the future, added that the gains, with the ability to carry cargo from one place to another, could not be quantified.
A former governor and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Olusegun Osoba, who described Governor Abiodun as the actualized of dreams, commended him for not abandoning the projects of his predecessor and for believing in continuity.
The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ade Akinsanya, disclosed that the airport is geared towards providing an avenue for farm produce to be exported outside the country, thereby developing the social economy of the state and its people.
Chairman of the Council of Obas, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, called on the people of the state to vote for Abiodun for a second term, noting that the landmark projects he had embarked upon in the last three and half years show that if he continues for a second term, the best is yet to come.
Former Governor Daniel and the APC candidate for Ogun East Senatorial Zone, while describing Abiodun as the actualized of the dream of the airport, expressed happiness and urged Osinbajo to use his office to help the state actualize its own dream of a deep sea port.
Speaking on behalf of the partners, the Chairman of Value Jet, Kunle Soname, commended the Ogun State government under Abiodun for the dream, which has now become a reality, disclosing that Value Jet is proud to be the first company to have its plane land in the airport.
Source: The Guardian