Wasinmi, Ilisan-Iperu Airports Are Vital To Ogun Economic Importance - Egba group

ABEOKUTA - The Egba Economic Summit (EES) has described as necessary and vital to economy development of Ogun state the two proposed Abeokuta International Airport at Wasinmi by the federal government and the Ilisan-Iperu Cargo airport by the Ogun state government.

The group said the two airports projects should be pursued and realized, saying none of the project should be allowed to undermine one and other given the statutory independence between the two levels of governments.

EES in a communiqué issued in Abeokuta on Wednesday by its President, Mr. Kehinde Sogunle, FCA and Vice President, Chief Shina Luwoye, FCA respectively at the end of its Governing Council Meeting.

They noted that, the Abeokuta International Airport project in Wasinmi was conceived in 2008 by the government as airstrip before it was upgraded in 2010 to a full fledged International airport with a full bouquet of passengers, Cargo, Aircraft maintenance, storage and warehouses as well as flight training school considering its proximity to Ogun West senatorial district and border cities between Nigeria and Benin Republic. 

The group said in line with its core mandate of economic development of Egbaland, has responsibilities in realizing the objective of the Abeokuta International Airport, Wasinmi.

"The Abeokuta International Airport project in Wasimi, Ogun State was conceived in 2008 by the Federal Government as an Airstrip. The location was considered in view of the proximity to Yewaland, Ogun West Senatorial District, with both Lafarge Cement and Dangote’s Ibeshe Cement plant as immediate neighbours; the Federal Government Olorunsogo Power Plant, Onijanganjangan, Agbara, Ota, Abeokuta and Sagamu Interchange industrial hubs as well as the industrial Gas belt and both the old and new Railway lines, the Standard Gauge, and Kajola Railway integrated transport hub. 

"The location of the airport is almost equal distance to the fringes and industrial hubs in the three senatorial districts in Ogun State and offer viable connectivity to many interstate highways (A1, A121, A5), rail lines and industrial estates in Lagos state, Ogun State and border cities between Nigeria and Republic of Benin.

"Ogun State Cargo Airport located at Ilishan Ogun State was conceived in 2006 by the Ogun State Government. The airport is designed to be within a proposed aerotropolis (or airport city) with facilities for commerce and industry, cargo handling and logistics, distribution and real estate developments which is to be fully integrated through shared infrastructure and services for synergy and value chain benefits.

"The project is located away from the congested areas of Lagos with proximity to 2 Major Trunk A roads leading to the Eastern and Northern parts of Nigeria. It is also in the vicinity of the Ogun/Ondo Olokola Free trade Zone and Deep-Sea Port. It is also close to the major commercial centres of the Western part of Nigeria i.e. Lagos and Ibadan

"Recently the current Ogun State government has engaged the African Development Bank and the International Fund for Agriculture Development to incorporate the Airport on the Special Agriculture Processing Zone initiative involving six States of the federation. Some preliminary works including surveys, studies, licences and permits as well as land clearing and compensation to the communities are being undertaken by the State Government on the Airport Project

"EES as an institution committed to economic development through responsible private sector involvement and initiatives do strongly share the philosophy that an atmosphere of cooperation among all constituent parts within and outside Ogun State is the sure way to rapid economic development and peace that will promote speedy industrialization of the state and improve the quality of life of our people.

"Consequently, we at EES will always support the execution of development projects in all parts of Ogun State, and it is in this light of the foregoing that we hereby appreciate the promoters and facilitators of both FGN owned Abeokuta International Airport at Wasinmi and OGSG promoted Ilishan Cargo Airport."