Some airlines have shown interest in operating commercial flights at the Gateway Cargo airport under construction in Ogun state.
Also, the authorities of the Nigerian Air force (NAF) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), have indicated interest in establishing their operational bases at the airport when its construction is completed.
This means that the Gateway Agro Cargo Airport located at Ilishan Remo would run commercial flights to boost the state economy when completed.
Although Governor Dapo Abiodun did not mention the names of the airlines, he however told leaders of community development councils and associations in the 20 Local Government Areas of the state at a recent meeting that it will create about 25,000 when it becomes operational.
“Work is ongoing at our Cargo Airport at Ilisan-Remo. I want to inform you that Nigerian Air Force and the Nigeria Customs Service have written to me that they would like to have their operational bases at the airport when it is ready.
“Not only that, some commercial airlines operating in the country have also shown interest in the airport. That means by the grace of God, when the airport starts operations this December, people in Ogun State will have the opportunity to board their flights from there to anywhere they want to go rather than going to Lagos,” the governor said.
The airport will also ensure the state benefits from being the industrial hub of the country as well as the numerous value chains that comes from such a “gigantic” project, he said.
The construction of the agro-cargo airport, was revitalised in March 2022 by the present administration after being abandoned by former Governor Ibikunle Amosun.
Waheed Adekunle, the chairman of the council of Ogun Central, however, called on the governor to see to the poor state of the social development institute at Shasha and Ilisan- Remo, with a view to putting it in proper shape as well as extending empowerment programmes to youth in the communities to better their lives.
The Ogun Cargo airport in completion, will join 13 other perishable cargo airports in the the move to transform the aviation sector into a major revenue earner for Nigeria.
The perishable cargo terminals are designated for Abuja, Akure, Calabar, Ilorin, Jalingo, Jos, Kano, Lagos, Makurdi, Minna, Owerri, Port Harcourt and Uyo airports.
They are in proximity to food baskets and are being developed with international standard perishable cargo facilities to enhance their operations.N
Nigeria has 22 airports operated by FAAN, four of which are functional international airports. Africa’s most populous country also has a state owned airport located in Akwa Ibom State.
In addition, there are airstrips or airfields scattered around the country, built mainly by the Nigerian Air Force and multinational oil companies.
Of these airports only Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, southwest Nigeria has perishable cargo terminal.
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