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National Institute for Policy Strategic Studies affirms relevance of Ogun State agro-cargo airport
The delegation of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Group 1, Senior Executive Course 45, 2023, Kuru, Jos, said the Agro Cargo Airport in Ilishan Remo, Ogun State is a game changer and a project that would further enhance the industrialization of the state.
Penpushing reports that the team leader of the delegation Prof. Oluwafunmilayo Para-Mallam made this known when members of the team were led to the site of the project by the Special Adviser for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya.
The delegation described the project as a Class E Airport, noting that its completion will also help the state to achieve its potential as an agricentrepreneurial state,while noting 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.
Penpushing further reports that Para-Mallam while commending the state government for coming up with such a noble idea acknowledged that Ogun state is among the first states in the country to own an agro-cargo airport, pointing out that the airport has the potential to create more job opportunities when fully operational.
The team leader noted that the current administration under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun has put the state ahead of others by making it the industrial hub of the nation, stressing that the huge infrastructural amenities put in place by the government would serve as an impetus in attracting more investments.
Penpushing also reports that Para-Mallam calling on stakeholders in the country to utilise the existing opportunities in the state to grow their businesses promised that the institute would partner with the government for a symbiotic relationship.
The Special Adviser for Works and Infrastructure had earlier told the delegation that the airport, when completed before the end of this year, would attract more investments into the state,explaining that the four-kilometer runway has attained about 95 percent completion and would be completed before the end of this month.
Penpushing reports that he noted that the strategic location of the airport as its unique selling point, would drive its status as an aerotropolis,adding that 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.
Penpushing further reports that the special adviser 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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