The Ogun State Government has officially launched chartered flight operations at the state-owned Agro-Cargo International Airport, strategically located along the Iperu-Ilishan Road in the Ikenne Local Government Area. This development marks a significant milestone in the state's aviation sector, as the airport is poised to enhance both economic and socio-economic activities within the region.
During a recent tour of the facility, Ade Akinsanya, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, confirmed that the airport is 95% complete. "We have secured approval to conduct chartered flights and we are now working closely with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to obtain the necessary permits for commercial operations," Akinsanya stated.
The airport's infrastructure is designed to support a wide range of operations, including hajj and pilgrimage services, which aim to alleviate congestion at other major airports. The consultant for the project, Captain Dapo Olumide, emphasized the airport's unique position, noting, "This is the first airport in Nigeria striving to secure an operating permit rather than the standard aerodrome certificate, which is a more stringent requirement."
Olumide also highlighted the airport's solar-powered facilities and its potential to become a hub for agro-products, given its proximity to the Nigerian Customs Service's Federal Operations Unit, which is relocating nearby. "Three companies have already expressed interest in concessions at the airport," he added.
The Ogun State Government envisions the airport as an aerotropolis, offering opportunities for concessionaires to develop additional infrastructure such as hotels, amusement parks, and logistics hubs. Gbenga Dairo, the Commissioner for Transportation, reiterated the government's commitment to improving transportation infrastructure, stating, "Transportation is a critical pillar of our economic development agenda, and this airport is central to that vision."
The main terminal is slated for completion by January 2025, positioning the airport as a leading air transport infrastructure in Nigeria.
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