Ekiti State Commissioner for Transportation, Kehinde Ajobiewe, says that the commencement of commercial flight operations at the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport is attracting investors to the state.
Barely a week after the inaugural commercial flight launched by United Nigeria Airlines aircraft, the commissioner declared that the move is already renewing investors’ interest and improving the socio-economic sector of the state.
Ajobiewe, who spoke on Tuesday, in Ado-Ekiti, during the interactive S’etigbo multicast, anchored by the Bureau of Community Communications, stressed that the airport’s workforce consists primarily of Ekiti indigenes aimed at enhancing local economic development.
His words: “Activities have started to pickup immediately at the airport. Our people who are traveling have booked their flights. It has made journey easier for many people and investors are now having interest to invest in Ekiti. Business activities have started there and that is what we call social economic development in the area.
“I will implore our people to make good use of this opportunity by using the airport facility. We are recording a very good progress because from now till the end of this month, flights have been booked. Let’s replicate and make use of our own.”
The commissioner also noted that the airport’s strategic location and state-of-the-art infrastructure have impressed international partners, including representatives from Emirates Airlines, who have expressed interest in adding new routes to the airport.
While highlighting passenger services and a soon-to-be-completed cargo terminal as two key impactful benefits arising from the commencement of commercial flight operations, he noted that it will further drive the state’s economic growth.
Ajobiewe emphasised that plans for the concession of the airport in the nearest future will benefit both the government and private investors while praising the continuity of government under Governor Biodun Oyebanji for ensuring the success of the project including the people of Ekiti and key stakeholders like Afe Babalola for their invaluable support.
