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The Special Adviser to Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti state on Budget, Economic Planning and Performance Management, Mr. Niyi Adebayo, has explained that the cargo airport in the state has not been made operational due to lack of basic facilities and equipment yet to be provided after being commissioned last year.
Recalled that former Ekiti governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, alongside the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika had on October 15, 2022 commissioned the agro-allied airport located on the 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 as of now only military aircrafts could land in the airport, adding that the control tower, passengers’ terminal and runaway were yet to be fully completed.
Adebayo said the administration of Biodun Oyebanji was determined to growing the state’s economy and enhance prosperity with adequate provision in the budget, noting funds for further work on the airport which is designed to airlifts the agricultural potentials of the state to the world and stimulate economic growth had 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 air 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 infrastructures, so that planes can land in the evening, even daytime when you have foggy situation because light help the pilot to see the runway better. So, those are the areas where expenditure needs to go into.”
“We are trying to ensure when the airport comes on stream is actually useful to ensure the airport serves us well with minimal disruption to fly.” (Blueprint)
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