The Federal Government has said its partnership with a private firm, Ala Resort, to transform the Akure Airport, in Ondo state, into a world-class business hub, would reshape the economic landscape of the country.
Rabiu Yadudu, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) stated this at the flag off of the “aerotropolis” project at the Airport, Oba Ile in Akure.
Mr Yadudu, who was represented by Director of Commercial and Business Development, Sadiku Rafindadi, said the government was committed to the success of the project which would
“Ala Resort project will also create a world-class business hub that attracts global companies, talents, drives, innovation and fosters economic growth.
“I believe this is the fastest way to increase passenger, cargo and aircraft traffic in Akure airport and gradually upgrade it to the international airport.
“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is confident that with Ala Resort’s assembled team of world-class architects, planners, and developers the project is a sure bet,” he said.
The Chairman, Board of Directors of the resort, Chief Wole Olanipekun, explained that the resort would reshape the economic fortunes of Ondo state and the Southwest.
He said the project which is a public/private partnership would serve as a primary driver for the growth of world-class infrastructure at the Akure Airport, noting that it would also benefit neighbouring Ekiti and Osun states.
“This project is centred around the Akure Airport, which will serve as its primary driver. Its growth and evolution will rest on carefully planned world-class infrastructure that will enable it to develop rapidly, yet organically into a postmodern aerotropolis, a multifunctional business hub, a residential haven, a holiday and tourism destination with safe, easy, unfettered and seamless access to the global community
“Another significant spin-off of this project is the positive impact its presence will have on the economic growth of contiguous states, especially Ekiti and Osun, by bringing the attention of the world to the enormous but relatively unutilized economic potential domiciled within them,” Olanipekun added.
He, however, charged the members of the host community, particularly, the youths to allow the project to take off in their domain and ensure its success.
“Oba Ile community, in Akure is lucky that the project is being cited here. We should allow the workers to work here peacefully. We are pleading with the youth that the project be allowed to take off without any disturbance, or harassment from the people of the community.”
Speaking on the project, Mr Moyosola Niran-Oladunni, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Ala resort, said the aerotropolis which had been projected between 7 to 10 years would create an eco-friendly and vibrant community of diversity that will cut across residential neighbourhoods in the state.
He reiterated that the aerotropolis, which would be the first of its kind in sub-Sahara Africa, would drive lives around the aviation industry after its completion.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu said the state government would key into the project and ensure its success.
Akeredolu, who was represented by his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, noted that the investment would profit the state by increasing its revenue base.
“The location of the Ala resort would determine the kind of package that will be put together for the good people of Ondo state and Nigeria as a whole.
“It would bring a lot of benefits to this community, Oba-Ile, it will also give us great revenue as the state. Ondo state is one of the safest places in Nigeria in terms of security,” he added.
Earlier, the traditional ruler of the host community, Oloba of Oba-Ile, Joseph Agunbiade, however, expressed delight that the aerotropolis would improve the economy of the town and reduce the rate of unemployment among the youths.
He said, “So, we are confident that this will improve the economy of Ondo state in general. Oba-Ile people are a peace-loving people who would be ready to partner with investors on this land.”
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