- As Minister, Gov Oyebanji commend Afe Babalola for supporting airport project
From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), has said the Ekiti State Agro- Allied International Cargo Airport, Ado-Ekiti is 99.5 percent ready for full commercial operations.
The Minister had on Monday landed at the airport on a fact finding mission where he commended the quality of job done at the facility.
According to him, essential requirements have been put in place at the airport, hence the facility is fit to commence full commercial operations.
Keyamo made this known to newsmen on Tuesday, shortly after inspecting the facilities at the airport in company of the state Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji and some top government officials in the state.
The Minister also noted that the runway, which is of international standard has an apron large enough to sufficiently park many 737 small-body aircrafts making it adequately comparable to airports in the developed world.
“As I mentioned yesterday, Ekiti Agro Allied International Cargo Airport is 99.5 percent ready for full commercial operations. I am sure you have seen that we have gone around, the basic requirements for the takeoff of an airport are here, you have the fire station, the tower, navigational equipment already installed, all security equipment in place, the runway we have here is of international standard. You can also see how big the apron is, it can park many 737s with narrow bodies. A lot of narrow bodies can come here and anchor. So, as it is today, Ekiti is ready for the world.
“And a fact that the Governor has put a lot of passion and resources since he came to office is a testament to his desire for this project. What is left is to ignite all regulatory agencies in aviation to give all the necessary approvals.
“I landed here to show the world that it is now safe for landing, which is why Aviation 001 had to land here, it is a testament that I have confidence in the facilities here for public use. The commercial airline will start coming in anytime from now.” The Minister said.
Keyamo also commended the significant contributions of the Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, towards ensuring the successful completion of the airport.
“Let me say this publicly because we have to give honour to whom honour belongs to. We have to also thank Aare Afe Babalola for the tremendous things he has done, he has helped us and he has promised to do more here”.
In his remarks, Governor Oyebanji expressed appreciation to the Aviation Minister, Aare Afe Babalola, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making the dreams of the founding fathers and the entire Ekiti people come to reality with their unwavering support towards the completion of the airport project.
Oyebanji said the current position of the airport spoke to the alignment of vision of the immediate past Governor of the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi who started the project, and that of the current administration. He said the airport is part of the numerous gains of continuity.
The Governor also remarked that the state economy stands to benefit a lot from the project as jobs will be created through agriculture, commerce, and tourism as well as add value to properties in the area because of the anticipated inflow of traffic in the area.
” The Minister has spoken and I will concur with what he said and I am grateful to him for his support to see to the completion of this game changer project for Ekiti people.
“I am also grateful to Mr President whose reform made funds available to sub nationals because without his support, this will not be here.
“I am also grateful to Aare Afe Babalola for not being tired of assisting us, he has promised to do more. What we are witnessing today speaks to the alignment of the vision of the immediate past Governor of the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi and I must commend the vision of Governor Kayode Fayemi for starting this project.
“The gain of continuity is what you are seeing today; he tried his best and we took the baton from him. It will shock you that this is my first visit to this airport since I became Governor, I have never been here.
“I came here today to inspect with the honorable Minister and I was not coming because I have confidence in the ability of the team handling the airport and they give me periodic reports and I am glad that all the reports I have read are in alignment of what I am seeing today.
“The Minister’s visit here is a stamp of authority that the airport is ready for non-scheduled flight. Anybody that has a chartered flight can fly into this place without any fear and once in a while, will encourage that the airport is maintained.
“It is a dual purpose airport. it is going to serve Agro products and commercial passengers flight. Ekiti State economy would benefit tremendously from this, jobs will be created and it will add value to the property in this place.
“It will bring traffic to the state, it will boost agriculture, commerce, tourism. I want to congratulate Ekiti people for this gigantic project, it is for them and I am sure that every Ekiti indigene will be proud that we now join the league of states that have airports”.
The Minister later departed the airport through the same aircraft that brought him in on Monday shortly after the inspection.