NASS to fast-track construction of Int’l Airport in Ogun
The National Assembly, at the weekend has promised to fast track the construction of the International Airport in Wasimi Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. The Assembly made the vow when the Senate Committee on Aviation, led by Senator Smart Adeyemi visited the construction site in Wasimi area of the state.
This was coming as the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has said the State does not need an International Airport but an Agro Cargo Airport to be sighted in Ilisan Remo Area of the State.
The State government, under the past administration of former governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun had commenced the construction of the airport project which was meant to be completed in March 2019. The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Smart Adeyemi who is representing Kogi West Senatorial District at the Upper Chamber disclosed that the Wasinmi project was part of the Assembly’s concern, adding that it had been occurring in the federal government’s budget.
The Senator, though could not ascertain when the construction would be completed, stressed that the federal government would consider all available means to ensure that the project sees the light of the day. “On the completion of the project, I cannot say anything, ours is to make sure that money that is appropriated for the project is spent on it.
He hinted that Committee would meet the Ministry of Aviation for the continuity of the construction in due time. Adeyemi said “We cannot diversify the economy without partnering the aviation industry, the industry is fundamentals to development. Politics will not affect the project, what is important is the welfare of the people. It is obvious that this is a construction site for international airport.
“This is not a new project to the National Assembly, it’s a project that has been in place before now. Wasimi airport is something that has been occurring in the federal government’s budget. We are equally aware that there’s another one that the state government is working on which we visited yesterday. We will sit with the Ministry of Aviation and discuss what we have seen and what we think should be the way forward. We have seen the site and we will go back and look at availability of funds as appropriated and if not FG will look at a other means through which the project can be supported. We are not going to be an obstacle to any projects."
In his remark, Senator Ibikunle Amosun who is representing Ogun Central Senatorial District appreciated the Committee lauded the commitment of Presidential Muhammadu Buhari toward the construction of the weekend. Earlier on Friday, Ogun State government said it will continue with the plan for construction of an agro-cargo airport in Ilisan Remo.
Governor Dapo Abiodun said this when he received the Committee at the Exco Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. The governor said l the agro-cargo airport project, conceptualized by the Gbenga Daniel administration in 2007, has lots of potentials in the overall development of the state in particular and the country in general.
Abiodun noted that what Ogun State is yearning for is an airport that will support its massive agro development potentials.
“The need to have a Cargo airport was made by our joint inter ministerial committee and we consequently evaluated the initiatives that were started by previous administrations because government is a continuum. “After a thorough evaluation, the choice of the Airport cargo location in Ilishan was unanimous, it complements the Agric/processing factories eco system in that corridor with access/egress road network.
But in the contrary, former Govenrnor Amosun maintained that the state can have more than airport, if possible. “For me, if it is possible for us to have ten airport, that’s fine. By the grace of God, this airport will see the light of the day,” Amosun prayed.
