Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Wednesday disclosed that the state government had spent N49.7bn on the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport.
Oyebanji made the announcement during the inauguration of commercial flight operations at the airport, along Ado–Ijan Road.
The inaugural commercial flight, operated by United Nigeria Airlines, conveyed passengers, including the first civilian governor, Adeyinka Adebayo, ex-Governor Ayo Fayose, ex-Governor Kayode Fayemi, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, other National Assembly members from Ekiti State, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, Yakubu Kofarmata, from Abuja to the airport.
The flight was welcomed at the airport by the governor, members of the cabinet, former Governor Chief Segun Oni, commissioners, and former deputy governors Abiodun Aluko and Paul Alabi, among others. All former Ekiti governors were present at the event.
Speaking, Oyebanji noted that previous administrations committed N14bn to the project, while his administration had spent over N34bn in the last three years to make the airport fully operational.
The airport project began under the administration of Fayose in 2019, with Dr Fayemi’s administration concluding a test flight in 2022. Oyebanji oversaw the final completion, culminating in approval for non-scheduled flight operations last year and the commencement of commercial flights on Wednesday.
Oyebanji said, “This moment is not just the official opening of the airport to commercial passenger operations; it is the launch of a new chapter in our transportation infrastructure development journey.
“Beyond infrastructural mileage, this achievement is another quintessential testimony to our commitment to the shared vision of a modern, prosperous, and forward-looking state of our dream.
“The making of this airport is a collective legacy of at least three governors before me, Engineer Segun Oni, who first conceived the idea, Governor Ayo Fayose, who acquired and initially cleared the site, and Dr Kayode Fayemi, who, despite all odds, commenced the building of this airport six years ago. Today’s event is therefore an applause to our collective determination.”
The governor detailed expenditures, noting that from May 2019 to October 2022, N14bn was spent on compensation, site preparation, regulatory approvals, civil works, including runway and terminal construction, control tower, access roads, aprons, and initial equipment procurement.
He said since October 28, 2022, his administration had spent over N34bn completing outstanding works, including fencing, terminal and control tower completion, service roads, drainage, and installation of an Instrument Landing System.
He added, “Through a public-private partnership with Reeve Energy Nigeria Limited, we are building an aviation fuel tank to enhance airline flexibility. Construction of the airport staff quarters is ongoing. In all, a total sum of N49.774bn has been expended directly by the Ekiti State Government.”
Oyebanji also acknowledged the founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola, who donated navigational aids worth $1.6m and built a 100-car capacity car park costing N356.795m.
“With this airport, we are bringing markets closer to our people and the world closer to Ekiti. I urge our people to seize the opportunities air connectivity offers and tap into the economic potential of the aviation sector,” he said.
The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Kofarmata, congratulated Oyebanji, saying, “History is made in Ekiti with this inaugural flight. This is a new era in the development of aviation in Ekiti and Nigeria. This airport reflects renewed hope and supports job creation.”
Fayemi lauded Oyebanji for his commitment to completing the airport and praised contractors like CCECC Nigeria Ltd for their dedication despite financial constraints.
John Zhao, Executive Director of CCECC Nigeria Ltd, described the commercial launch as a milestone, stating: “The airport now serves as Ekiti’s new sky gateway, driving employment, logistics, tourism, exports, and investment.”
