The team leader of a delegation of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Group 1, Senior Executive Course 45, 2023, Kuru, Jos, Prof. Oluwafunmilayo Para-Mallam, has described the Agro Cargo Airport in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State as a game changer and a project that would further enhance the industrialisation of the state. Para-Mallam said this when they were led to the site of the project by the Special Adviser for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya.
Prof. Para-Mallam described the project as a Class E Airport, noting that its completion would also help the state to achieve its potential as an agricentrepreneurial state. The team leader noted that the agro cargo airport will further open up business opportunities for both local and foreign investors, thereby solidifying the status of Ogun State as the industrial capital of the country. Commending the state government for coming up with such a noble idea, Prof. Para-Mallam acknowledged that Ogun is among the first states in the country to own an agro-cargo airport. She said the airport has the potential to create more job opportunities when fully operational. Prof. Para-Mallam noted that the current administration, under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun had put the state ahead of others by making it the industrial hub of the nation, stressing that the huge infrastructural amenities deployed by the government would serve as an impetus in attracting more investments.
She called on stakeholders in the country to utilise the existing opportunities in the state to grow their businesses, as Prof. Para-Mallam promised that the institute would partner with the government for a symbiotic relationship. Engr. Akinsanya had earlier told the delegation that the airport, when completed before the end of this year, would attract more investments into the state. He said the four-kilometer runway had attained about 95 per cent completion and would be completed before the end of this month, noting that the strategic location of the airport as its unique selling point, would drive its status as an aerotropolis. According to him, the Nigerian Customs Service had paid for a site to be used as its operation base, while the Nigerian Air Force and other agencies are also exploring investment opportunities within the airport.
“The four-kilometer runway is ready; the construction of the fire station is on, the control tower and the administrative building is there and those are the essential components of an airport. Every other thing, as you know, is luxury and comfort. We are not just building an airport; we are building an aerotropolis. We are bringing different people and don’t forget this is a specialised airport as it will be an agro-cargo airport. Though, there is another facility for passenger operations”, he said.
He noted that the airport could be accessed from different locations, which serves as an added advantage. Indeed, for this airport, you can access it through six locations; Lagos-Sagamu, Lagos-Ibadan, Lagos-Epe. I don’t think any airport can rival it anywhere within this country and the facility is unique.The standards we are meeting are world-class. We have perimeter fencing at the airport from the beginning unlike some of the airports that we have around in Nigeria. In front of the perimeter fencing, you will also have a security road on both sides for patrol. We don’t want intruders coming into the airport”, Akinsanya said.
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