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Ogun: Gateway Agro-Cargo Airport Records Maiden Flight
Gateway Agro-Cargo Airport, located along Iperu-lishan road in Ikenne Local Council, Ogun State, witnessed the first commercial flight.
Speaking at the event, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, noted that the airport marked the actualisation 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 region 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 programme 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 make 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 catalyst for economic growth and development of our nation and sub region,” he said.
Osinbajo, who noted that an airport is only an infrastructure for building a dynamic economic area, said that 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 the 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.
