Tinubu’s Reforms Fund New Infrastructure – Keyamo

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has credited President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms with improving state governments’ financial capacity to undertake major infrastructure projects, citing the proposed international cargo airport in Kogi State as an example.

Keyamo spoke on Tuesday at the groundbreaking ceremony for the airport in Zariagi, Adavi Local Government Area, where he represented the President.

He described the project as a major development for the host community, saying it would place Zariagi on the global aviation map and create opportunities for wider economic activity.

“What is happening here today, what the Governor has done today, will resonate many, many years, centuries after today, 500 years from today. Do you understand the significance of what is happening here today? Let me tell you the significance. Today, as from today, this village called Zariagi will be on the Global Aviation Map,” the Minister declared.

According to the minister, the airport project reflects the combined impact of federal economic policies and the development agenda of Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

Since taking office in May 2023, Tinubu has introduced significant economic changes, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and reforms to the foreign exchange system. 

While the policies have contributed to higher living costs and exchange-rate fluctuations, the administration maintains that they are intended to address structural weaknesses, improve public finances and support long-term investment.

Keyamo said the changes had increased the resources available to state governments, but stressed that the ability to translate improved revenues into meaningful development depended on the priorities and decisions of individual governors.

At the ceremony, Ododo described the proposed airport as a strategic investment that would improve Kogi’s access to domestic and international markets and attract businesses to the state.

He said the facility would support the transportation of agricultural produce and solid minerals, helping to connect the state’s resources with buyers and investors beyond its borders.

The governor added that the project could stimulate commercial activities, create jobs, improve the movement of people and goods, and encourage the development of supporting infrastructure across Kogi.

Keyamo further said that the groundbreaking marked an important step towards expanding Zariagi’s economic prospects through improved aviation connectivity.

He maintained that higher government revenues alone would not guarantee development without leaders willing to channel available resources into projects with long-term economic value.

The minister identified the Government’s economic policies and Ododo’s development plans as the two factors that had made the airport initiative possible.

“However, it takes two to tango. One, the positive policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the vision of the Governor. These are the two things that combined to make this thing possible today,” he said.

Responding to questions about the need for an international airport in Kogi, Keyamo argued that major infrastructure should not always depend on the prior presence of large businesses and investors.

He said waiting for international companies, luxury hotels and other commercial establishments to enter the state before constructing an airport could delay development indefinitely.

Instead, he argued that the airport could serve as an initial investment that attracts businesses, improves access and encourages further economic activity.

“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. It is the airport that attracts these developments. The airport is the precursor. The airport is the forerunner. The airport is the indicator of development,” Keyamo stated.

Keyamo maintained that the facility would lay the groundwork for increased investment and new commercial opportunities across the state.

The Kogi State Government estimates that the project could generate between 2,000 and 3,000 direct and indirect jobs. The figures are projections and do not represent employment already created.