The Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport inAdo-Ekiti has commenced commercial flight operations. On January 21, Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation andaerospace development, announced that the airport was ready for full commercialoperations at 99.5 percent completion. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on Thursday, BiodunOyebanji, governor of Ekiti, said the launch marks “a new chapter” in thestate’s transport infrastructure journey. Oyebanji said the project represents a collective legacybuilt by four administrations, beginning with Segun Oni, who conceived theidea; Ayodele Fayose, who acquired and cleared the site; and Kayode Fayemi, whobegan construction six years ago. The governor also expressed special appreciation toPresident Bola Tinubu for his support that enabled the state government tofinance the project. “Beyond infrastructural mileage, this latest achievement isanother quintessential testimony to our commitment to the shared vision of amodern, prosperous and forward-looking state of our dream,” he said. ‘N49.7 BILLION SPENT BY STATE GOVERNMENT SO FAR’ He said the Fayemi administration spent N14 billion betweenMay 2019 and October 2022 on compensation, site preparation, regulatoryapprovals and major civil works, including runway construction, terminalbuilding, control towers, aprons, access roads, and initial firefightingequipment. Oyebanji said when he assumed office in October 2022, “a lotwas still outstanding”. Since then, he said his administration has committed overN34 billion to the project, covering the completion of the terminal building,control towers, external perimeter fencing, service roads, runway strip, thesecond tranche of compensation, drainages, and other land stabilisation works. Other projects executed in this phase include the firestation, emergency operations centre, internal perimeter fencing, airportgates, the installation of specialised aviation equipment — including airfieldlighting, scanners, baggage handling systems — and the purchase of a secondfirefighting truck. “Additionally, through a PPP model with REEF Energy ServiceLimited, we are building an aviation fuel tank to enhance the flexibility ofairlines operating into the airport. As we speak, the construction of theairport staff quarters is ongoing,” Oyebanji said. “In all, a total sum of N49,774,980,974.61 has been expendeddirectly by the Ekiti state government.” The governor acknowledged Afe Babalola, founder of AfeBabalola University, for donating navigational aids, including CBOR-DME andcontrol tower equipment, valued at $1.6 million. “In addition, Are Afe Babalola has also built, that will becommissioned today, the 100-car capacity car park opposite the terminalbuilding at a cost of close to N357 million,” he added. Oyebanji praised him for his “selflessness, generosity andunflinching fatherly support”, describing him as the highest taxpayer and thelargest employer of labour after the state government. In his remarks, John Zhao, executive director of CCECCNigeria Ltd, described the event as “a remarkable achievement”, noting that theairport had transformed from conceptual design to a fully operational aviationhub. “For CCECC, it has been an honour to be part of thisjourney, from conceptual design to a project delivered and operating today,connecting to the global network,” Zhao said. “This project is far more than infrastructure. It is aregional hub that will have a lasting impact on Ekiti state and beyond.” He commended the federal government, Oyebanji, and theaviation ministry, saying the CCECC remains committed to supporting aviationdevelopment, enhancing air safety and attracting investment into Nigeria.
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