The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the construction of the Kogi State International Airport at Zariagi, near Lokoja, describing the project as evidence of the Federal Government’s commitment to infrastructure development across the states.
Ododo spoke on Tuesday during an inspection visit to the construction site, where he assessed progress and expressed satisfaction with the ongoing work.
The governor described the airport as a strategic investment that would improve connectivity, stimulate economic growth, attract investors and unlock Kogi State’s economic potential.
He noted that Kogi’s geographical location, which connects it to several major commercial centres, including the Federal Capital Territory, made the airport an important infrastructure project.
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According to him, despite its strategic position and commercial advantages, Kogi had operated without its own airport until the Tinubu administration supported the initiative.
Ododo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to monitoring the project regularly to ensure that construction met the required standards and timelines.
He expressed optimism that the project would record significant progress by next year, urging residents to recognise the facility’s long-term economic and developmental benefits.
The governor also challenged critics questioning the feasibility of the airport project to visit the site and see the ongoing work for themselves.
“Please, I want them to come here to see things by themselves. It is not an AI thing. You can see the equipment working, and they are working day and night. We are not going to make noise about it; we invite them to come and see,” Ododo said.
Providing an update, the Project Manager of CCECC Nigeria Limited, Kogi State Project Office, Engr. Sun Yishi, said construction had reached approximately 20 per cent completion.
He explained that the current phase of work was focused largely on earthworks for the runway and its associated safety areas.
According to him, earthworks are among the most demanding stages of airport construction, involving extensive excavation, filling, laterite placement and ground preparation before pavement works can begin.
Also speaking, the lead consultant, Architect Adebayo Adidipe of Arcade Consultants Limited, estimated the overall level of completion at between 20 and 25 per cent.
Adidipe expressed confidence in the pace of construction and commended Ododo, the State Ministry of Transportation, the commissioner and the permanent secretary for their support and cooperation.
He added that concerns raised by the project team had received prompt attention, helping to facilitate the smooth execution of the project.
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