The Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, yesterday said the Federal Government would soon commence the construction of airports in Kogi, Nasarawa, Ogun, Bayelsa and Kebbi states.
This, he said, is in furtherance of government’s efforts to link states together and establish cargo terminals across the country.
The Minister disclosed this when Kogi State governor, Captain Idris Wada, visited his office to seek Federal Government collaboration in the construction of airport in the state.
Chidoka explained that construction of the airport in all the capital cities would enhance the establishment of cargo terminals for exportation of agricultural produce and increase value addition capabilities in the country.
He assured the governor of Federal Government’s readiness to partner with the state government in working out details to ensure the construction of airport in the state, so as to exhibit the tourism potentials of the state to the global investing community
The Minister said: “Lokoja being an historic town with different artifacts has the capacity to serve as tourist attraction that could generate a lot of revenue for the government.
“So, we are going to work with Kogi State in the construct of its airport to attract investment in the state”, Chidoka added. Noting the low contribution of the aviation sector’ contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product of the economy, the Minister pointed out that the increase in the number of airports in the country would further enable the sector to contribute more to the economy.
Responding, the Kogi governor said the state was interested in establishing a world class airport that would be the agricultural hub for the North Central geo-political zone of the country.
