Fayemi hands over Ekiti cargo airport to site contractor

Tue, Mar 16, 2021
By editor
3 MIN READ

Aviation

KAYODE Fayemi, Ekiti State governor,  has handed over the site of the Ekiti Agro-Allied Cargo Airport to the main contractor to commence the construction of its 3.2 kilometers runway.

The governor, while handing over the site to the contractor, CCECC Nigeria Limited late on Monday, described the project as a promise made and kept for the overall development of the State.

Fayemi had earlier on Monday,  March 15, presented checks totaling N500 million to about 700 landowners whose land was acquired for the airport project. The event held at the Conference hall of the Governor’s office.

He said the construction of the airport’s runway pavement will be completed within fifteen months, in line with the timeline agreed with the contractors.

Represented by Bisi Egbeyemi,  deputy governor, at the handing over of the site, the governor said payment of compensation to farmers and owners of economic trees on the land acquired for the airport project will continue until all affected landowners receive their compensation.

Describing the project as a milestone for his administration and the people of Ekiti, Fayemi noted that the importance of agro-allied cargo airport to serve as the fastest movement of agricultural products to the international market cannot be overemphasized.

He explained that Ekiti, an agrarian state, is blessed with hardworking farmers and investors who are ready to produce in commercial quantities, once there is an assurance that their goods will reach both local and international markets without delay.

He said: “No doubt, Ekiti is a landlocked State that borders with other landlocked States like Kwara, Osun, Edo, except Ondo that has sea. The situation has made it difficult for our people in Ekiti State and the neighboring States to transport goods, most especially agricultural products to both local and international markets.

“The establishment of this Agro-allied Cargo Airport will not on small measure improve the socio-economic development of our dear State when completed.

The Governor canvassed the support of Ekiti people at home and in the Diaspora for the completion of the project while also charging the contractor to execute the job with the utmost professionalism.

Air Vice Marshal Adeniyi Ojuawo (rtd), the technical adviser on the Airport Project, said the airport is a legacy project of the Fayemi administration and one that will change the face of Ekiti economy.

AVM Ojuawo said: “This project is a game-changer and we need the cooperation of those who gave us the land. The people will be happy that JKF has brought the airport project to Ekiti. There cannot be a better time than now.”

The Commissioner for Works and Transportation, Mr. Adesola Adebayo said the design and bill of engineering measurement of the airport project were expertly scrutinized in accordance with the requirement and standard of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO.

The brief ceremony was witnessed by representatives of communities like Ago Aduloju, Aso Ayegunle, Ijan, and Igbemo on whose land the project is located. Mr Wang Williams led a team of CCECC Nigeria Limited’s representatives at the event.

– Mar. 16, 2021 @ 17:04 GMT

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