Lack Of Basic Facilities, Equipment Hindering Ekiti Cargo Airport From Being Operational –  Govt

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By; OLADELE ADEDAYO, Ado-Ekiti

The Special Adviser to Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State on Budget, Economic Planning and Performance Management, Mr. Niyi Adebayo has attributed the delay being experienced over the non-usage of the cargo airport in the state to lack of basic facilities and equipment that are yet to be provided after being commissioned last year.

It would be recalled that the former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi alongside the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika had on October 15, 2022, commissioned the agro-allied airport located along Ado-Ijan-Ekiti road.

Presenting the breakdown and analysis of the N113.5 billion 2023 budget in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital on Monday, the governor’s aide said that as of now, only military aircrafts could land in the airport, adding that the control tower, passengers terminal and runaway are yet to be fully completed.

Adebayo said that the administration of Biodun Oyebanji is determined to growing the state’s economy and enhancing prosperity with adequate provision in the budget, noting that funds for further work on the airport which is designed to airlift the agricultural potentials of the state to the world and stimulate economic growth has been earmarked.

Asked on the condition of the airport, the special adviser said, “We can only land the military aircraft because we don’t have the full work of navigational aids. The military aircraft can land themselves with little or no aid from control tower. So, we need to have a functional control tower, build a new terminal where passengers can wait to board plane. So, those are the expenditure we need in the new year; but the runway is very good.

“And of course, we need to provide necessary lighting infrastructure, so that planes can land in the evening, even daytime when you have foggy situation because light helps the pilot to see the runway better. So, those are the areas where expenditure need to go into.

“We are trying to ensure when the airport comes on stream, it is actually useful to ensure the airport serves us well with minimal disruption to flights.”

On the expectations of the people in the budget christened, “Budget of Strong Beginning”,  the governor’s aide explained that the appropriation was prepared with input from the residents during the town hall meetings towards a solid foundation for the administration.

He added that the government adopted zero-based budgeting approach in putting it together, saying that the recently launched 30-year-old development plan formed the basis for sectoral allocations to achieve the six-point agenda of the administration.

In the breakdown of the budget, he said that recurrent expenditure is put at N79.5 billion and the capital expenditure will gulp N34 billion, noting that the government would place emphasis on human capital development in order to ensure youth development and job creation.

He said, “On youth development and job creation, there will be MSMEs economic recovery programmes, grassroots development and provision of vocational tools.

“On infrastructure and industrial development, there will be construction of Atlas, Ajebamidele, Deeper Life, Alasia Shepherd Road, all in Ado-Ekiti among other road construction across the state.

“This administration is committed to fiscal responsibility and transparency. The government is also committed to engendering the growth of the state’s economy and improving the well-being of Ekiti indigenes and residents.

“We will actively pursue the 6-pillar agenda and maintain our philosophy of shared prosperity. Efforts have been made to address all sectors in the budget within the limits of resource constraints facing the state.” 

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