By Achile Danjuma
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting approval for the construction of a world-class international airport in the state, describing the decision as a historic milestone.
The Governor made this known on Wednesday in Lokoja during the official handover ceremony of the contract to the selected contractors. He noted that the project corrects a long-standing anomaly, given Kogi State’s unique place in Nigeria’s aviation history as the site of the country’s first-ever aircraft landing.
“For a state with such a pioneering role in Nigerian aviation to have gone without an airport for this long has been a national oversight,” Governor Ododo stated. “This approval by Mr. President is not just a win for Kogi, but a correction of a historical record.”
The Governor extended his gratitude to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, for his dedication and swift action in facilitating the approval and ensuring the timely award of the contract. He revealed that the state government followed due process meticulously, collaborating with globally recognised consultants over a period of nine months to finalise the airport’s design and secure all necessary clearances from the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
Addressing potential questions about the airport’s necessity given the state’s proximity to Abuja, Governor Ododo underscored Kogi’s strategic economic importance. He described the state as the “natural gateway of Nigeria,” serving as a critical link connecting the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and approximately 10 major commercial cities.
“Kogi is the crossroads of the nation,” he explained. “Our strategic location, the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers, and our vast mineral resources all demand infrastructure of this magnitude.” He added that the new facility would play a key role in decongesting the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja by providing a viable alternative for landing and take-off.
The Governor assured that the project would be a legacy endeavour subjected to rigorous oversight by the state government to ensure it meets the highest international standards. He expressed confidence in the selected contractors—China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and Gamji Nigeria Company Ltd.—citing their proven track records. He urged them to adhere strictly to the stipulated timeline, stating that delays would not be tolerated.
Governor Ododo also conveyed President Tinubu’s goodwill message to the contractors and assured them of adequate security and all necessary support for the seamless execution of the project. He called on all stakeholders in the state to rally behind the transformative initiative.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Victor Atukulu, provided details on the project’s scope. He stated that the ministry, in collaboration with relevant agencies, spent eight months perfecting the design before the contract was awarded through a meticulous and transparent procurement process.
According to the Commissioner, the project will be executed in two main lots: CCECC will handle the technical components, including the construction of an 18.6-kilometre runway capable of handling large aircraft and cargo operations, while Gamji Nigeria Ltd. will be responsible for the perimeter fencing. Situated on approximately 4,000 hectares of land, the airport is designed with an initial annual handling capacity of 250,000 passengers.
In their separate remarks, the Executive Director of CCECC Nigeria Ltd., Mr. Zhou Dongping, and the Operations Manager of Gamji Nigeria Ltd., Mr. Salawu Okaku, both pledged their commitment to delivering a high-quality, world-class project that would meet the specifications and timeline set by the Kogi State Government.