Governor Mr. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State disclosed that measures are being taken to facilitate round-the-clock operations at the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport. This initiative aims to enhance the competitiveness of the airport’s routes.
The Governor likewise showed joy over the notable enhancement of the state’s economy during the last two and a half years, vowing to take further steps to guarantee an even more durable progress within the state along with elevating the quality of life for residents.
During the March installment of his monthly media engagement "Meet Your Governor" on Monday evening, Governor Oyebanji outlined his administration’s plans to transform the Ekiti Airport into a significant transportation center. He emphasized that this move aims to stimulate the local economy by drawing additional investments and enhancing the financial capabilities of Ekiti State residents.
He stated that his government has started talks with three prominent domestic airlines to initiate commercial operations at the airport. This move aims to boost air travel, promote tourism growth, attract additional investments, enhance cargo transport, and enable the export of agricultural products both locally and internationally.
Even though he expressed hope that at least two airlines would run services to and from the airport, Oyebanji mentioned that his team aims to enhance competitiveness by striving to set up an Instrument Landing System (ILS). This installation could facilitate round-the-clock operations at the facility.
The Governor stated: "The main objective is to ensure that the route becomes lucrative and attractive for airlines. If profitability is achieved, airlines will deploy their aircraft accordingly. One aspect of our initiative is positioning this as a preferred destination airport. By next year, operations facilitating both Hajj and Christian pilgrimages will commence."
To ensure this becomes a preferred airport, we need to establish a system that allows for round-the-clock arrivals. This can be achieved with the implementation of an Instrument Landing System (ILS), which facilitates nighttime operations and permits aircraft to land under adverse weather conditions. Although setting up the ILS currently would require approximately ₦4.6 billion, our commitment remains steadfast to accomplish this.
We are committed to having the Instrument Landing System (ILS) installed at Ado Airport by the end of this year. Achieving this would make it only the second airport in the southwestern region, following Lagos Airport, to have such equipment, allowing planes to land safely during nighttime operations. Additionally, we are negotiating with a supplier who will construct a hangar for various airport services. This means multiple initiatives are currently underway.
The Governor also disclosed that a cargo shed is being constructed at the airport to serve as storage facility for farm produce and cash crops. He commended the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele for facilitating its inclusion in the budget.
Approval for non-scheduled flights at the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport was granted for a period of six months back in December. Governor Oyebanji stated his belief that the facility will become one of the leading airports once it begins commercial operations.
Speaking further, Governor Oyebanji identified some indices of economic growth witnessed under his administration to include springing up of more businesses in the state made possible by an enabling environment for them to flourish, improved internally generated revenue and receipts from the Federation Account, as well as adequate protection of lives and property.
The Governor who disclosed that the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) have moved from about N600 million monthly to over N2 billion monthly, attributed the feat partly to the fact that more residents are now encouraged to pay their taxes, having seen evidence of the government’s effective utilization of proceeds of the taxes in every part of the state.
He explained that his administration has not restricted development strides to only Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, as it is being speculated in some quarters, noting that virtually all parts of the state including the rural areas have been touched. He also expressed readiness to keep on working for the people of the state till his last day in office, stressing that he wont be distracted by on going politicking.
Speaking on the state of the treasury, Oyebanji said what the state government and local governments receive monthly are not hidden as they are published by the office of the Accountant General noting that they vary from one month to the other.
He stressed that his administration refrains from interfering with local government funds because the State House of Assembly has a regulation establishing the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), through which council allocations go directly to their accounts via the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
While noting that he does not get involved in how the funds are shared, the Governor pointed out that he only monitors the projects the council chairmen execute with the funds to ensure that they are in line with the needs of the people and they such projects are satisfactory.
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