…I’ll fight poverty not the poor in Oyo state–Makinde assures residents
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has announced the approval of a sum of ₦41 billion for the first phase of the upgrade of Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan to international standards.
Governor Makinde made the disclosure today while delivering his address at the official ground breaking ceremony of the upgrade of the airport in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
The governor stated that ambitious project is targeted at enhancing the airport’s infrastructure, making it more competitive and facilitating improved air travel and trade in the state and the entire south west Nigeria.
He explained that the investment would not only create jobs but also position Oyo state as a key player in the aviation sector in Nigeria as well as open up the state for economic gains from the global aviation business.
The governor disclosed that the upgrade will include the expansion of runways, modernized passenger facilities, provision of Jet-AI Tank Farm, facilities for aviation fuel, enhanced security measures, and expansion of dual carriage access road to the airport, among others.
While commending the upgrade committee for a job well done, Makinde maintained that his administration would continue to tap talents from wherever it could find it irrespective of political or ethnic affiliations, and therefore reaffirmed his commitment to deepening the culture of inclusivity in governance.
Similarly, the governor, who commended the state legislature for accelerated passage of also declared that he would sign the recently passed Oyo State Presumptive Tax Bill into law but would delay its implementation due to prevailing economic hardship in the country.
He assured that his administration was sensitive to the plight of the people of Oyo state amidst growing economic concerns in the country which was occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy and the high naira/dollar exchange rate saying “I’ll only fight poverty not the poor in Oyo state.”
Makinde noted that the presumptive tax law which emanated from the executive arm of government, intended to simplify tax collection from businesses, especially small scale enterprises in a bid to improve on the state internally generated.
Earlier in his speech as a special guest at the event, Osun state Governor, Senator Jackson Ademola Adeleke described Governor Makinde as a true achiever and promised to partner with the Oyo state Governor to explore areas of mutual benefits for both state.
Speaking on behalf of the duo of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo and the Managing Director Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the acting manager, Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, Mr Francis Balogun emphasized that the project upon completion would stimulate the state economy tremendously.
Chairman of the Committee on the upgrade of the airport, Honorable Abimbola Adekanmbi, in his vote of thanks reaffirmed the commitment of his team to the completion of the project in line with the stipulated period and quality.
Present at the event were the National chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alia Damagum, members of the state executive council, top state functionaries, and executive chairmen of Local Governments in Ibadan.
Others are notable personalities including traditional rulers, religious leaders, political stalwarts, elder statemen, captains of industries, and members of the SLA airport upgrade committee.