L-R: Prince Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State Governor, with Chief Adebayo Adewale Edun, Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy, at the entrance of the Gateway International Airport, Illisan-Remo, Ogun State
State governments nationwide have been persuaded to explore Public Private Partnership, PPP, in the construction and development of a world-class international airport like Ogun State’s Gate Way International Airport, Illisan Remo, as a means to improve the economy of their respective states nay the national economy.
The Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Chief Adebayo Adewale Edun, made the statement after a guided tour of the Ogun State Agro-Cargo Airport, which was conducted by the state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
Edun endorsed the project thus, “The airport is good for the economy of Ogun State and Nigeria, and we would like to see more of this. We encourage other states to join the private sector to achieve such.”
According to the Minister, when the Ogun State Agro-Cargo Airport is completed, it will add value to the lives of the people of Ogun State and will contribute to the rapid growth of the state and the nation’s economy.
Hence, the Minister endorsed the airport project thus, “It is the type of investment that grows the economy, that creates jobs, that reduces poverty and it is good for the people of Ogun State in particular as well as Nigerians in general that new economic life is being breathe into the area”.
The minister described the airport as a major economic project of the Prince Abiodun-led administration, which, when fully operational, will be a game-changer for the state.
Chief Edun enthused: “I have had the opportunity to be here before and I know that the ARISE Agro-Cargo Industrial and Export Processing Zone, is a major economic achievement that speaks to the possibility of rapid growth of the economy, which is the objective of Mr. President to have more investments like this”
The elated Coordinating Minister of the Economy thus commended; “I congratulate the governor and the people of Ogun State on what has been achieved so far but more importantly, we look forward to the result which is the creation of jobs, increased production, increased opportunities for farmers to produce and sell their products at good prices and in good time without any of the usual post-harvest losses and the loss occasioned by transit of agro products”.
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Recall that most of the state owned airports in the country are liabilities for the various state government as we speak, depending on the vision and mission of the state government except Ibom Airport which incorporates MRO and viable airline services coupled with dynamic management and operational team. for the sustanace of the airport project. I expect the minister of finance to announce the cost of the airport project if the state government is not willing to disclose the cost of constructing the airport and the financial returns expected from the airport project which is still under construction. My instinct tells me that this project could only be viable if it is placed under aviation expertise to provide effective and efficient management, without political interference and consideration when it is completed in due course.