Kogi Airport Project 20% Complete, Ododo Hails Tinubu’s Support
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting the construction of the Kogi State International Airport, describing the project as evidence of the Federal Government’s commitment to infrastructure development.
Ododo made the remarks on Tuesday during an inspection of the ongoing airport project at Zariagi, near Lokoja, the state capital.
The governor said the airport would improve transportation connectivity, attract investments and stimulate economic growth by strengthening Kogi State’s access to major commercial centres across the country.
He noted that the state’s strategic location, particularly its proximity to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, made the development of an airport necessary to unlock its economic potential.
According to him, despite its geographical advantage and commercial connections, Kogi had operated without its own airport until the Tinubu administration approved and supported the project.
Ododo assured residents that his administration would continue to monitor construction activities to ensure compliance with established standards and timelines. He also expressed optimism that the project would attain a more advanced stage of development by 2027.
Addressing critics who had questioned the feasibility of the airport, the governor urged them to visit the project site and assess the progress of work rather than rely on speculation.
He maintained that construction was progressing, with equipment and personnel working at the site.
“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,” Ododo said.
Providing an update on the project, Sun Yishi, project manager at the Kogi State project office of CCECC Nigeria Limited, said construction was approximately 20 per cent complete.
He explained that current activities were concentrated on earthworks for the runway and its associated safety areas, including excavation, filling, laterite placement and ground preparation.
Yishi noted that these activities were essential preparatory stages before pavement construction could commence.
Similarly, Adebayo Adidipe, lead consultant at Arcade Consultants Limited, estimated the overall completion level at between 20 and 25 per cent.
Adidipe expressed confidence in the progress of the project and commended the governor and officials of the state Ministry of Transportation for their support.
He said concerns raised by the project team had received prompt attention from the state government, helping to facilitate construction activities.
The Kogi State International Airport is expected to strengthen the state’s transportation infrastructure, improve access to key economic centres and create opportunities for investment and commercial expansion as construction progresses.
