The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde has stated that the drive to upgrade Ibadan Airport is based on logic, science, and data.
He said the upgrade will help enhance the airport’s capacity to handle more flights and passengers, attracting more airlines and boosting both domestic and international travel.
The airport which is now renamed as Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, can thus, stimulate economic growth in the region by facilitating trade, tourism, and investment opportunities, while also creating jobs.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Makinde noted that the government’s previous upgrades to the airport facilities had already attracted more airlines to include Ibadan in their flight schedules.
He also announced that the first phase of the project, worth N41 billion, has been awarded to Craneburg, and assured that it would be delivered within 12 months.
Makinde thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the state’s request for the upgrade and highlighted the potential economic benefits, drawing comparisons to Angola’s recently completed $3 billion airport project.
“We have awarded this first phase to Craneburg at N41billion.
“Anyone who wants to ask what we are doing, go to Angola, they’ve just finished their airport, which was delivered at $3billion. This is no joke. If you want to tap into a $3billion industry, you must be ready to be bold and we are bold here in Oyo State.
“We have our data. For those who think this project is not proper, we take decisions based on logic, science and data. This decision to upgrade this airport is based on solid data and logic. If you have your own data that contradicts, please let us have a public debate. I’m sure in the next 12 months, this project will be delivered. I will push the envelope.
“We have also upgraded part of the facilities, which increased the number of airlines, including Ibadan in their flight schedules.”
Meanwhile, in a broader effort to enhance airport infrastructure nationwide, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN) had in a week ago inspected the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) to survey the ongoing infrastructure upgrade at the E-Wing.
