Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo on Tuesday said President Bola Tinubu’s support for the state’s international airport project at Zariagi, Lokoja, demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to extending critical infrastructure to the subnational level.
Ododo spoke during an inspection visit to the construction site, where he reviewed progress and said he was satisfied with the level of work.
He described the airport as a strategic investment in the state’s future and said it reflected Tinubu’s recognition of the developmental needs of states. He said such infrastructure can stimulate economic growth, improve connectivity and attract investment.
Ododo said Kogi’s location, bordering several major commercial centres including the Federal Capital Territory, made an airport a strategic necessity for unlocking its economic potential. He said the state had operated without an airport until the Tinubu administration approved the project and supported its execution.
His administration, he said, would monitor the project closely to ensure construction meets the required standards and timelines. He voiced optimism that the airport would reach an advanced stage of development next year and urged residents to appreciate the project and its potential long-term benefits.
Ododo also challenged critics to visit the site and judge the work for themselves rather than rely on speculation about its feasibility.
“Please, I want them to come here to see things by themselves. It is not an AI thing. You can see the equipment working, and they are working day and night. We are not going to make noise about it; we invite them to come and see,” he said.
Sun Yishi, project manager at the Kogi State project office of CCECC Nigeria Limited, said work was about 20% complete. The current phase is focused largely on earthworks for the runway and its associated safety areas, he said.
Sun said the earthworks are among the most demanding stages of the project, requiring extensive excavation, filling, laterite placement and ground preparation before pavement construction can begin.
Adebayo Adidipe, an architect and lead consultant with Arcade Consultants Limited, put overall completion at 20% to 25%. He expressed confidence in the project’s progress and commended Ododo, the State Ministry of Transportation, the commissioner and the permanent secretary for the support received, noting that issues raised by the project team had received prompt attention.
