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Ogun State Governor, Apo Abiodun has said that he surmounted barriers, stiff opposition and attempted distraction to be able to commence the construction of the Gateway International Agro Cargo Airport.

He said the moment the news filtered into the public that the construction of the Airport which  had nothing  on the site before he came to power,opposition and attempted distraction suddenly surfaced.

The Governor made  this known in his address at the official landing of the maiden test flights into the Airport at Iperu.

“I recall how much opposition and attempted distraction we had to surmount, the minute it was public that we were considering the implementation of the construction of this airport , there were a lot of pessimism so much so I decided not to have a ground breaking ceremony .”

He said that is testament to what is achievable by being focused, deliberate,resolute committed and audacious noting that in every way therefore, it is a dream come true.

This place,(the Airport),according to him, was like a tropical rain forest less than two years ago .

“This construction was started April 2021 and will be on record as the fastest built airport anywhere !!”

“This test flight despite all odds is very important to us for many reasons: first, it is one of the necessary activities leading to the full certification and licensing of the airport for safe aviation operations.”

“Secondly, it marks the actualization of a dream, conceived 16 years ago by one of my predecessors Otunba Gbenga Daniel , the approval was given in 2008 byNigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and nurtured by the people of Ogun State.”

“Today’s test flight is, therefore, a landmark event confirming the determination of this administration to develop an airport of international standards in Ogun State to serve businesses, industry, and the people of the state.”

He said the development of the airport is in alignment with the vision of this administration which is focused on providing an enabling environment for public private partnership which is fundamental to economic growth of the state and the prosperity of the people of the state

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.This administration,he said recognizes the vital importance of strategic transportation infrastructure and services in facilitating the efficient and effective mobility of people and goods across and beyond the state and also accessibility to public services, industry and key drivers of economic activity in the state.

“Therefore, on the assumption of office, we established a Ministry of Transportation for the first time in the history of the state. Soon after, the Ministry of Transportation, in collaboration with the United Kingdom Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Sector experts from Olabisi Onabanjo University developed the Transport Policies for the State and subsequently the State’s Strategic Multi-Modal Transportation Master Plan.”

He explained that the Master Plan development was based on the need to meet the following needs:

I) economic and industrial ambition of the state;

II) the need to provide safe and affordable accessibility and mobility options to citizens, businesses, and industry;

III) provide inter regional and international connectivity for the movement of people and goods in and out of Ogun State; and

IV) provide relief and alternatives to other regional transport sector hubs, particularly Lagos

“.In view of the planned spread of economic activities and clusters across the state coupled with the spatial distribution of current, planned and proposed road and rail transportation networks, the air transportation component of the plan demanded that the facility be located here in the Shagamu Remo nexus of the Lagos – Ibadan and Lagos – Benin Express Way.”

He told the gathering that the choice of the location allowed for easy accessible to the different parts of the state,not leaving out Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria.The eastern and northern regions of Nigeria will also be easily accessed from this same location.

Governor Abiodun noted that the country is currently vigorously pursuing strategies to promote the export of goods and services, and this airport will be critical in helping to achieve this objective.

.”This project is part of an integrated development programme aimed at unleashing the full potential of Ogun State.

This airport is located in the Remo economic zone which houses the Ogun Special Agro Processing Zone the entirety that we refer to as an Aerotroplois the first in Nigeria “

. “The Ogun SAPZs ground breaking ceremony was conducted about two months ago, It is PPP between Ogun state Government and Arise LLP a company that specializes in setting up Agro value chain development. It promises to offer about 25000 job opportunities.”

In his viewtThis further justified the business case for the construction of this airport.

“ Other complimentary infrastructure project currently being pursued is the development of a Dry Port at Kajola in Ogun Central on the Lagos – Ibadan Rail Line. We have also commenced the process of the construction of the Olokonla Port which also was conceived by my predecessor .This will go a long way  to easing the port congestion and make the Apapa port more efficient.”

He said that no doubt  the airport will become the alternative to Muritala International airport and is already been considered as the export terminal for non-oil in the Southwest.

“There is therefore little doubt that the airport development has an established positive business case and that it is a major facilitator of increased economic activity in the state, an investment with expected economic returns in the form of increased tax receipts, employment generation prospects and a multiplier economic driver over and beyond air transportation operations”

. Furthermore , the federal government is reconstructing the Lagos to Shagamu Express Way and is on the verge of concessioning the Shagamu to Benin Express Way, ensuring safe and efficient land access to the airport and other air ancillary services,he said.

According to him,.this is in addition to the federal government developing the east to west standard gauge rail line linking Lagos to the airport and to the eastern part of the country.

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“.The government is mindful of the sacrifices made by the people of Iperu, Ilishan, Ode, Akaka, Irolu and Ilara who had committed more than 10000 hectares of land to this project and have been hosts communities to the significant construction activities in the area.”

“The government, in its inclusive approach to governance, undertook in- depth consultations with communities affected and committed to implementing the various recommendations that arose from the Environmental Impact Assessment undertaken prior to the commencement of the project.”

The Ogun State Chief Executive Officer said that the design and ongoing construction of the airport are being undertaken in collaboration with the various national and state regulatory authorities to ensure compliance with all state, national, and international standards.

.”This category 4E airport is one of the best constructed airport in Nigeria , it can accommodate an A380 Boeing 777 747 it includes amongst others a 4 – kilometre runway, a 36-metre-tall control tower, fire station, cargo apron, and terminal buildings. The 82,000 square meter cargo apron for type E and type C aircrafts is completed.”

“I take this opportunity, therefore, to extend the most sincere appreciation of the people and government of Ogun State to the following:

The Hon Minister Of Aviation my brother Hadi Serika who without who’s support and guidance this dream may not have been a reality ..

The Central Bank that gave us the funding support at very attractive interest rates without which we wont be here.

I) Federal Ministry of Aviation,

II) DG Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority,and Odunowo

III) Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, IV) Nigeria Airspace Management Agency V) Nigeria Meteorological Agency

particularly Mohammed

Mr Kunle Soname Chairman of Value Jet whose airplane is the first commercial aircraft to land in this airport .

Others in his appreciation lists are the contractor Craneburg for doing such an amazing job and on record time

Our Consultants DAL,

Our team from the ministry of works and transportation and all my cabinet members that have worked tirelessly to make this a reality and success,

The state planning and implementation team have indeed enjoyed unparalleled cooperation and collaboration with these agencies since the commencement of works in April 2021. I want to say thank you

“ The government is in negotiation with airport operators with the view to establishing a PPP arrangement for the , operation, maintenance, and management of the airport facility.

.The private sector partner is bringing private capital”.

“Let me state and restate that the official commissioning of this project will take place in a couple of months. Today’s event is to set the climate for the final commissioning of the project. Now the naysayers can give up…

We will continue to be  just fair and equitable.”