After 16 years in the doldrums, Gateway Agro-Cargo Airport located along Iperu-lishan Road in Ikenne local government area of Ogun State became a reality following yesterday’s operation of a maiden flight to the facility.
The cargo airport is conceptualised to create needed infrastructure to boost the exportation of agricultural and non-agricultural goods and reinvigorate further social, economic activities, which will subsequently increase revenue generation drive of the State.
Speaking at the maiden landing of a commercial aircraft operated by Valuejet Airline, the state governor, Mr. Dapo Abiodun said the airport had finally birthed despite the many opposition and distraction to it.
He said the test flight was a prerequisite to the final certification of the airport and subsequent commissioning.
The governor said the airport is strategic in promoting export of goods adding that it would serve as an alternative to the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.
“This project is part of an integrated development programme aimed at unleashing the full potentials of this great state.
“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.
“The choice of this location allows for easy access from different parts of the state including Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria. The Eastern and Northern regions of Nigeria can also easily access this location,” he said.
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 was also pursuing the commencement of a dry port in Kajola in Ogun central senatorial district.
Besides, he said the state was building Olokola Port, which, according to him, 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).
“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.
Also speaking, the vice president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo described the airport as a world-class project worthy of emulation.
He 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.
Osinbajo also said the airport would serve the special agro processing zone, which was recently established through the generous assistance of the African Development Bank (AfDB) adding that it (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).
“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.
On the Kajola Dry Port, Osinbajo declared: “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.
In his remarks, the minister of aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika said airports have a way of connecting business.
He said the Gateway 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.
