by Nurat Uthman
Governor Seyi Makinde has successfully secured approval from the Federal Government for the transformation of Ibadan Airport into an international airport.
Makinde spoke on Wednesday when he received Hassan Baba Abubakar, the chief of air staff of the Nigeria air force (NAF), at the governor’s office in Ibadan.
The governor said the upgrade, which would commence in the next three weeks, would include the construction of a new terminal, runway and other structural features.
He said the project would be handled by experts and delivered to standard.
The politician said his administration had spent the last five years turning around the state’s economy and has identified the need for the upgrade of the Ibadan airport as being central to its economic expansion agenda.
“Since I came into office, this administration has focused on education, agriculture, health and expansion of our economy,” Makinde said.
“We have been talking to the Presidency and we got a response from them early this week that the President has graciously approved my request for Ibadan Airport to be upgraded.
“I will be in Abuja soon to get the documents relating to the approval. And within three weeks, we will start the project. We will expand the runway and build a new terminal.”
Makinde said his government’s resolve to build infrastructure that targets the economic expansion agenda has also seen it investing resources on the 110 kilometres Ibadan circular road.
He said his administration would consider the air force’s request for land for its post-retirement housing scheme on the circular road corridor.
The governor appreciated Abubakar for his officers’ effort in working with sister security agencies to secure Oyo state, urging that the cordial relationship between the force and the people of the state be maintained.
He said the air force has been a major contributor to maintenance of internal security in the state as its personnel have been working closely with Operation Burst.
Makinde reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to collaborating with the air force to complete its base in Ajia and assured that the road leading to the base would be completed promptly as promised.
He said the government is fixing multiple roads around the air force base to facilitate the easy movement of personnel and equipment, including the Ajia-Airport road with a spur to Amuloko and the Amuloko-Dagbolu-Ijebu Igbo roads.
In his remarks, Abubakar described the governor as a visionary leader, thanking him for his support to the air force.
He acknowledged the governor’s focus on economic development and enhancing security in the state.
The chief of air staff commended the governor for acquiring 60 hectares of land for the air force base at Ajia and providing security operational vehicles.
Abubakar, however, urged the governor to expedite action on the ongoing 10 kilometers Ajia-Airport road so as to ease movement of his force’s activities.
He assured that the force would maintain its support for the state and strengthen the mutual relationship.
