Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has lauded the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport as a transformative project that will significantly open up the state’s economy to the world.
Speaking in Ado-Ekiti on Monday before flying back to Abuja, Bamidele emphasised the airport’s potential to complement Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s development efforts. He described the facility as one of Nigeria’s best in terms of technology, safety, and operational efficiency, positioning Ekiti State on the global map.
Bamidele commended former Governor Kayode Fayemi for initiating the project and praised Governor Oyebanji for ensuring its completion and operationalisation. He highlighted the importance of continuity in governance, stressing that projects of such magnitude must transcend administrations for long-term economic benefits.
The Senate Leader shared the experience of the pilots who flew him to Ekiti Airport, stating that they were initially uncertain about the landing conditions but were highly impressed upon arrival.
“The Pilots said when they were told last night that they were coming to Ekiti airport, they said it was duty call that they could not reject, they went to bed wandering what the landing was going to be like at this airport, but landing at this airport shows that quality of air traffic control and the state of the tarmac which they had to run met the world standard as the runway is comparable to the runway of any international airport around the world. So, for me as Ekiti born statesman and the leader of the Nigeria senate, hearing that kind of comment from pilots regarding our airport made my day.”
Bamidele further revealed that Governor Oyebanji has assured him that arrangements are underway with commercial airlines to commence passenger flights. This will enable residents to fly in and out of Ekiti without the inconvenience of using airports in neighboring states.
“What the Governor told me this afternoon is that this airport will be able to operate private and commercial flights at night and this mean additional facilities and funding being provided to bring this airport to that standard. So far the day flights have been wonderful and I cannot also wait for the night flights,” he stated.
The Senate Leader emphasised that beyond passenger travel, the airport will be a major asset for Ekiti’s agro-allied economy. He noted that mechanised farmers and agribusiness investors will soon have the opportunity to export their produce directly from Ekiti, eliminating logistical hurdles and increasing profitability.
“By and large, this airport represents the whole essence of continuity, it was a dream conceptualised and a dream commenced under one administration and actualized under another administration of Governor Oyebanji. This means that the economy of Ekiti is being further opened up and the potential mechanised farmers of Ekiti also looking forward to the possibility of being able to also ship out their farm produce out of this place as well as all those who will invest in agro-allied economy,” the Senate Leader noted.
