The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has expressed satisfaction on the quality of facilities at the Ekiti Agro Allied Cargo International Airport.
Keyamo,who stated this during a joint inspection of the airport with the state governor, Biodun Oyebanji said the airport is 99.5% ready for full commercial operations.
He expressed confidence in the airport’s facilities, stating that essential requirements for full commercial operations, such as aviation security, fire services, among others, are fully in place.
According to him, the runway meets international standards, allowing for the arrival of various aircraft types, stressing that non-scheduled flights can commence immediately.
“The Ekiti Agro Allied Airport is 99.5% ready for full commercial operations. We have gone round and the basic requirements for the take off of an airport are here. There’s a fire station, navigational aid already installed at the tower, the security operatives are in place.
“The runway we have here is of international standard and a lot of narrow body and anchors can come in here.
“As it is today, Ekiti is ready for the world and the fact that the governor has put a lot of passion and resources since he came to office is a testament to his passion for this project.
“What is left for us now is for us to ignite all our regulatory agencies to give all the necessary approval but for now, we have approved that non-schedule flight should start from here.
“I have already landed here to show the world that we are now safe for landing; that’s why this aircraft has to land here yesterday.
“For me to land here yesterday is a testament that I have confidence in the facility here for public use right now. The official aircraft can start coming in anytime from now; what’s left is just a bargain handling system at the arrival.
“Aviation security is on ground, the fire fighters are on ground, and every other person are on ground. I give kudos to the governor of the state, I want to congratulate him and thank him for the passion”.
He also hailed the significant contributions of the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, in ensuring the operational readiness of the airport.
“Let me say this publicly because we have to give honour to whom honour belong to. We have to also thank Aare Afe Babalola for the tremendous things he has done, he has helped us and he has promised to do more here”.
Speaking,Governor Biodun Oyebanji expressed gratitude to the Minister for his confidence in the airport, highlighting its potentials to boost agriculture, commerce, and tourism in Ekiti.
He also thanked President Bola Tinubu for providing the necessary funding that enabled the swift completion of the airport.
Oyebanji, who described the inspection as his first visit to the airport since his assumption to office as governor, said he was impressed by his assessment as a result of the capacity and ability of the personnel handling the project.
He further stated that the airport will serve a dual purpose, catering to both agro-products and commercial passenger flights, which will generate job opportunities and increase property values within the state.
“The Minister has spoken and I’ll concur with that he said and I’m grateful to him for his support to see to the completion of this game changer project for Ekiti people.
“I am also grateful to Mr President whose reform made funds available to sub nationals because without his support, this will not be here.
“I’m also grateful to Aare Afe Babalola for not being tired of assisting us, he has promised to do more. What we are witnessing today speak to the alignment to the vision and I must commend the vision of Governor Kayode Fayemi for starting this project.
“The gain of continuity is what you are seeing today; he tried his best and we took the baton from him.It will shock you that this is my first visit to this airport since I became Governor, I have never been here.
“I came here today to inspect with the honorable Minister and I was not coming because I have confidence in the ability of the team handling the airport and they give me periodic reports and I’m glad that all the reports I have read is in alignment of what I am seeing today.
“The Minister’s visit here is a stamp of authority that the airport is ready for non-schedule flight. Anybody that has a chartered flight can fly into this place without any fear and once in a while, will encourage that the Airport is maintained.
“It’s a dual purpose airport, it’s going to serve Agro products and commercial passengers flight. Ekiti State economy would benefit tremendously from this, jobs will be created and it will add value to the property in this place.
“It will bring traffic to the state, it will boost agriculture, commerce, tourism. I want to congratulate Ekiti people for this gigantic project, it’s for them and I’m sure that every Ekiti indigene will be proud that we now join the league of states that has airport”,he added.
