Why Ekiti Cargo Airport Is Yet To Start Operations – Commissioner

By Ayodele Oni

The Ekiti State Government has explained that some specifications on the cargo airport project in the state are still being sorted out with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) and this has been delaying its take off.

The airport was hurriedly commissioned by immediate past governor of the state, Kayode Fayemi and has remained unused for over a year.

Some farmers, whose land were acquired for the project had protested earlier in the week over non payment of their entitlements.

According to him, efforts are being intensified to get all necessary certifications from the Federal Government agencies that will ensure full utilisation of the Ekiti State International  Cargo Airport, in Ado Ekiti.

Oyebode also assured that those whose land were taken over for the project would be fully paid as government had commenced paying them in batches.

The Commissioner spoke in Ado Ekiti, on Thursday, during a press conference commemorating the First Anniversary of the Governor Oyebanji administration in the state.

He also clarified that Governor Biodun Oyebanji chose to complete inherited projects alongside newly initiated ones in order to expand the scope of development and plug wastages in the deployment of resources.

The Commissioner, who is the Chairman, Planning Committee of the one year anniversary, said Governor Oyebanji has diligently implemented the six pillars policy- thrust of his administration to bring radical development and share prosperity despite financial snags.

Oyebode said the Governor has  been complying with the Ekiti State Transition Law, that mandated the completion of projects inherited from past administration and in line with the continuity agenda.

This, he said, was exhibited in the completion of the Ado Ekiti Bus Terminal and Ekiti State Traditional Rulers’ Chamber, while others are billed for completion and utilization soon.

“We have succeeded in completing some number of projects inherited from the past administration to promote  continuity of vision, continuity of planning and continuity of development.

“We must understand that those projects didn’t belong to former Governor Kayode Fayemi, but to the people of Ekiti State.

“Go to Omisanjana-Deeper Life-Ajebandele area, go the Agric Olope axis  and see the roads we have started there. The Power Projects in Gbonyin and Ekiti East Local Governments were started and completed by this administration.

“We have a lot of projects that we have started and we will complete them soon, while also not neglecting others inherited from previous administrations.

Speaking on how the palliative work done on some of Ado Ekiti roads networks had  failed within a short time, Oyebode said such scenario happened because there wasn’t much design to be able to withstand the traffic being witnessed on them on daily basis.

On the deplorable states of the federal roads in Ekiti, Oyebode appealed to the citizens to be patient with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu government, stressing that the state remains hopeful that some of the Federal roads may be incorporated into the 2024 Budget.

“Even the National Assembly caucus in the two Chambers of the National Assembly are working hard to ensure that some of these roads are captured in the 2024 budgetary estimate, so let us be patient and see what will happen. There will be tremendous changes by next year.

“To let you know that we are committed to making these roads motorable, we will continue to work on the 11 kilometres Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki road, which is also federal road until it is 100 percent completed for the use of our people.”

The Commissioner, noted that Ekiti remains one of the safest states to live and work, in view of the huge investment in technology and collaboration with relevant security agencies.

This, he said has reduced  kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminal activity being experienced in some parts of the country.

“To let you know how committed we are to make Ekiti safe, we bought Armed Personnel Carriers and other security gadgets for the police. Out of the 36 states in the country, Ekiti State has the least incidences of security threats and that I consider a plus to this government.”

On Oyebanji’s preparedness to put governance on a full throttle, Oyebode said: “The implementation of the six- point agenda continues on daily basis in line with the vision of the government.

Highlighting some of the activities lined up for the first anniversary, Oyebode  said the very  first event is the Governor’s engagement with Ekiti Youths. Others include flagging off and commissioning of some projects; engagement with workers and thanksgiving service.