Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has promised to make the state’s Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport a major hub for economic growth, saying the state government has entered into discussions with three major airlines in the country to commence commercial flights.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji who disclosed this said that efforts are in place to ensure the airport runs 24-hour operation in a bid to make the route competitive.
He also expressed delight that the economy of the state has recorded significant improvement in the past two-and-a-half years, promising to do more in order to ensure a more sustainable development of the state and better living standard for the people.
Governor Oyebanji who stated these during the March edition of his monthly media chat, “Meet Your Governor,” said his government intends to make the Ekiti Airport a major hub, as well as a major driver of the economy, attracting more investors to the state and boosting the economic capacities of the citizens.
The Governor explained facilitating air travel, tourism development, more investment and transportation of cargoes and export of farm produce to local and international destinations.
While expressing optimism that at least two of the airlines would operate flights to and from the airport, Oyebanji said his administration also hopes to make the route competitive by working hard to install Instrument Landing System (ILS) that will enable the operation of 24-hour flights in the airport.
“The issue is to make the route profitable and competitive for airlines and if the route is profitable, they will bring their planes. Part of what we are doing is to make it an airport of choice and by next year, they will be able to run Hajj and (Christian) pilgrimage,” he said.
The governor also disclosed that a cargo shed is being constructed at the airport to serve as storage facility for farm produce and cash crops. He commended the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele for facilitating its inclusion in the budget.
