Ododo Inspects Kogi Airport Project, Says Tinubu’s Support Driving Development at Subnational Level

By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh, Zariagi, Lokoja

Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s support for the state’s international airport project at Zariagi, Lokoja, as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to extending critical infrastructure development to the subnational level.

Governor Ododo stated this on Tuesday during an inspection visit to the ongoing Kogi State International Airport project site, where he assessed the progress of work and expressed satisfaction with the level of construction activities.

The Governor, who described the airport project as a strategic investment in the future of Kogi State, said the initiative reflected President Tinubu’s recognition of the developmental needs of states and the importance of providing infrastructure capable of stimulating economic growth, improving connectivity and attracting investment.

Ododo explained that Kogi State’s geographical position, bordering several major commercial centres, including the Federal Capital Territory, made an airport a strategic necessity for unlocking the state’s economic potential.

He noted that despite the state’s strategic location and commercial connections, Kogi had operated without its own airport until the intervention of the Tinubu administration, which approved the project and provided support for its execution.

Ododo further disclosed that his administration was committed to monitoring the project closely to ensure that construction progressed according to the required standards and timelines.

He expressed optimism that the airport would reach an advanced stage of development by the following year, while urging residents to appreciate the infrastructure initiative and its potential long-term benefits.

The Governor also used the occasion to challenge critics of the project to visit the site and assess the work firsthand rather than rely on speculation about its feasibility.

“Please, I want them to come here to see things by themselves. It is not an AI thing. You can see the equipment working, and they are working day and night. We are not going to make noise about it; we invite them to come and see,” he said.

Providing an update on the construction, Engr. Sun Yishi, Project Manager, CCECC Nigeria Limited, Kogi State Project Office said work had reached approximately 20 per cent completion, with the current phase focused largely on earthworks for the runway and its associated safety areas.

He explained that the earthworks constituted one of the most demanding stages of the project, requiring extensive excavation, filling, laterite placement and ground preparation before subsequent pavement construction could proceed.

Similarly, the lead consultant, Architect Adebayo Adidipe of Arcade Consultants Limited, put the overall level of completion at approximately 20 to 25 per cent.

He expressed confidence in the project’s progress and commended the support received from Governor Ododo, the State Ministry of Transportation, the Commissioner and the Permanent Secretary, noting that issues raised by the project team had received prompt attention.