Ogun State Agro Cargo Airport records first commercial flight

The Ogun State citizens were full of excitement on Thursday when the Gateway Agro-Cargo Airport, located along Iperu-lishan road in Ikenne Local Government Area of The state witnessed its maiden commercial flight.

Speaking at the occasion, Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, described the epoch even as the beginning of the actualization of a dream by his predecessor, former Governor Gbenga Daniel.

Dapo Abiodun who declared that the development of the airport is in alignment with his administration’s desire to provide a conducive atmosphere that will boost industries activities.

The choice of the location of the cargo airport the governor said would allow for easy access from different parts of the state and provide seamless connectivity to the Eastern and Northern regions of the country.

Describing the airport as part of an integrated development program aimed at unleashing the full potential of the state, the governor added that his administration is also presently pursuing the commencement of a dry port in Kajola in Ogun Central Senatorial district of the state and also pursuing the construction of the Olokola Port which he said would help to decongest the Apapa Port in Lagos.

His words: “Another complementary infrastructure transportation project currently being pursued is the development of the dry port at Kajola in Ogun Central.
This dry port will be located on the Lagos-Ibadan rail line in the Kajola free trade zone, the free trade zone that was also established by Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

“We have also commenced the process of the construction of the Olokola Port, this will go a long way toward easing the port congestion and making Apapa Port more efficient. No doubt, this airport will become the alternative airport to the Muritala Muhammad International Airport and it is already being considered as the export terminal of non-oil in the country”.

Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, while speaking at the event,described the Gateway Agro Cargo Airport as a world-class project worthy of emulation just as stated that the Kajola Dry Port in the state would soon become operational in a few months.

While describing the Agro Cargo Airport as the dream of the state which is the engine room of the nation’s economy, commerce and business, Osinbajo remarked; “This airport isn’t just the best in Nigeria, it is a world-class airport that we are here to see. Ogun State has taken a huge step in fulfilling the dreams of our forebears, the dreams of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the dreams of 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. 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 a catalyst for economic growth and the development of our nation and sub-region”.

In his comments, the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Abubakar Sirika, who acknowledged that airports have a way of connecting business, added that the airport is a product of people who sat down to think about what can be done to improve the socio-economic development of the people of the state

While saying that the gains of the airport won’t be seen at the moment, but in the future, Sirika however said the gains of the airport with the ability to carry cargo from one place to another cannot be quantified.