FG inaugurates remodelled Ibadan Airport Terminal

The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika alongside the lawmaker representing Oyo South Senatorial District who is a prominent member of the Senate Committee on aviation and Chairman Dynasty Airline, Senator Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi has on Saturday, May 18 2019 inaugurated the newly remodeled terminal building of the Ibadan airport which the Federal Government embarked upon in a bid to reposition the nation’s aviation industry.
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Speaking at the inauguration ground, the Minister said, the completion of the new terminal was a reflection of President Muhammadu Buhari’s respect for the ancient city. He said Ibadan was historically the centre of civilisation of southwestern Nigeria adding that the city is venerated as the premier city in West Africa and it is in this respect that the Federal Government decided to revamp and remodel this terminal building and other associated works within the airport.
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Senator Akanbi in his words commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister for the great efforts put into reconditioning the airport; he further stated that the people of Ibadan and the whole of Oyo state are very grateful for this.
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The Chairman, Dynasty Airline, speaking to newsmen further submitted that, as a developing country, our primary objective is to continually find ways to progress and develop as a nation. One of the ways to achieve this is to provide and improve on infrastructures which have positive impacts on the economy. Since Nigeria is already handicapped with few airports that travel internationally, there’s the pressing need to build and upgrade on the existing ones. He said that the Ibadan airport is still being underutilized, and it will be of great gain to the nation if the airport is upgraded to international level and maximized to its full potential. He stressed that there’s a great increase in air traffic and no longer should a single International Airport continue to serve the whole western states.
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Speaking on the importance of upgrading the airport, Senator Akanbi stated that the upgrade will facilitate airlifting Muslim and Christian pilgrims without having to go to Lagos and it will also help decongest the Lagos cargo if it is later turned to a cargo airport in the future.
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“Aside from the fact that the improvement of the Ibadan airport will reduce the burden on other airports and make them more sustainable, the upgrade will also contribute immensely to the economic development of Oyo state and the nation at large.
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“From the point of construction to the point of completion, several direct and indirect employment opportunities will be created during the upgrade. When the airport upgrade is completed, a massive number of jobs will be generated to fill the important sectors of the airport such as operations, management, maintenance, safety, storage and so much more. This consequently will increase the standard of living of the people in the region. Also, the tourism sector will benefit greatly from this upgrade since airports make countries more accessible.
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“Aside from the money that will be generated by the government through air travel fares, tax and trade, the airport will foster a stronger connection between Nigeria and the global community and of course all of this will set us on a path of experiencing a major thrust to our national GDP”.
Akanbi said.