Federal Ministry Approves Kogi’s Bid For International Airport

The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has granted the Kogi State Government approval to construct an international airport in Zariagi.

The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed that the approval was confirmed through a letter dated October 9, 2024.

According to Fanwo, Governor Usman Ododo’s administration is dedicated to the rapid and compliant completion of this significant infrastructure project.

The proposed airport aims to serve not only Kogi State but also ten other neighbouring states, potentially easing the heavy vehicular traffic on the critical Lokoja-Abuja roadway.

The Commissioner stated, “The Ododo Administration has considered it a top priority for Kogi State to have an International Airport and join the league of the aviation hub. The strategic location of the state is no doubt, an invaluable advantage in harnessing the aviation service market as the centre of the nation.

“The project will not only boost the economy of the State, it will also create jobs and bring the potential of the state to the global scene.

“The Governor is determined to hire the best hands in the industry to make the project a huge success. As you are aware, aviation is an industry of trust and standards.

“We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and the Aviation Minister for the historic approval that will help to further develop Kogi State. We want to also say that the Airport will also have capacity for Cargo as that is one of our key focuses in the project.”

Fanwo assured the people of Kogi State that the administration of Ododo would continue to execute laudable projects to consolidate the gains of the last eight years in Kogi State.

He further stated, “Zariagi is a very strategic community that already boasts of an airstrip. The team from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development was satisfied with the location and the plans of the Kogi State Government on the project.”