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Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has said the Kogi International Airport project will create between 2,000 and 3,000 jobs for residents when fully developed.
Keyamo spoke during the Aviation Infrastructure: Keyamo, Ododo Unveil Kogi International Airport Project event held on Tuesday. He said the airport would open up the state to new business opportunities, attract investment and support economic growth.
According to the minister, the project reflects the combined impact of President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies and Governor Usman Ododo’s vision for Kogi State.
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Keyamo explained that the removal of the fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira had increased the funds available to state governments. He said the policies had given Ododo more resources to invest in major infrastructure projects, including the airport.
However, Keyamo stressed that access to funds alone was not enough. He said the governor’s vision had also played a major role in making the project possible. The minister defended the decision to build an airport, arguing that major infrastructure often comes before business expansion and investment.
“If you are waiting for the best international companies to be here, the best international hotels to be here, before you put an airport, you wait for the next one million years. It will not come,” he said.
Keyamo added that the airport would serve as a catalyst for development by attracting businesses, hotels and other investments to the state.
“The airport is the precursor. The airport is the forerunner. The airport is the instigator of development,” he said.
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He also linked infrastructure development to job creation and poverty reduction, arguing that increased government revenue could support projects that create employment.
“When you have more money, you will develop infrastructure. When you develop infrastructure, you will create jobs. When you create jobs, you will abolish poverty,” Keyamo said.
He urged Nigerians to support Tinubu’s policies, despite the economic challenges associated with the reforms. The minister maintained that the Kogi airport project would create employment opportunities and improve the state’s access to economic activities.
