As barrage of criticisms continue to trail the Ekiti Airport project, a member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and All Progressives Congress Chieftain, Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, has scolded those referring to the “masterpiece” as a misplaced priority, saying people harbouring such barbaric impression belonged to the medieval age.
Aribasoye, in a statement in Ado-Ekiti, stressed that airport initiative remains one of the most veritable project to open up a state to industrial, business, diplomatic, and governmental
opportunities that are abound to catapult the fortunes of any state to enviable height.
The Lawmaker representing Ikole constituency II branded the capital project as a product of critical thinking and well thought-out innovation targeted at exposing the agrarian and human capital development of Ekiti to the outside world.
He said those describing it as a desperate attempt to pilfer or plunder the state’s resources were making such derogatory comment for mere political blackmail or for their silenced and subjugated voices to be heard.
The lawmaker stated, “All over the world, the concept of airport has always been to create unfettered access to a territory for industrial development, create more opportunities and showcasing of natural and human endowments of such place.
“Airports were established in Kano, Bayelsa, Benue, Kwara and other states of the federation not on the basis of being wealthy, but to create access and opportunities.
“That was what Governor Fayemi intended with this Noble concept with the establishment of the International cargo airport, so that our agrarian capacity in terms of food production can be enhanced.
“Benue State has started importing yams and nothing stops Ekiti from having such dream. Our farmers can only be motivated when they see a ready and profitable market.
“Again, the Afe Babalola Multisystem Hospital is now ranked as one of the best in Nigeria, ditto our tourist destinations like Ikogosi Warm Spring, Arinta Waterfall, Esa Cave and others. With airport in place, all these profitable ventures can be accessed easily bearing in mind the insecurity and danger associated with land transportation at present. Under this circumstance, the concept is not only apt, but justifiable.”
He lauded Fayemi for pioneering what he called gradual industrial revolution in Ekiti with the revamping of moribund state-owned industries like Ikogosi Warm Spring and Resort, Ikun Dairy Farm, Ire burnt brick and ROMACO granite industry.
“By partnering Promasidor Nigeria Limited, the Ikun Dairy Farm is being resuscitated with a sum of $5m. The firm will produce 10,000 litres of milk daily when fully operational.
“Dangote Group, Stallion group and JMK Rice are currently building their Rice Processing Mills in Ekiti. Ikogosi Warm Spring is also picking and assuming that posture that could make it worthy of its natural status as one nature that is unique. Among other initiatives being undertaken to buoy Ekiti’s industrial prowess,” he stated.
On the cases of kidnapping and killings being witnessed in a section of the State, Aribasoye assured that enduring security architectures are being erected to respond to the horrible scenarios.
“Ekiti is not immune to the spiraling wave of insecurity blowing across our nation. This is a trying time for everyone, but the government is responding swiftly to it by procuring hardware facilities and supporting security agencies
“Governor Fayemi’s government has just procured a drone that will be shipped to Ekiti soon to monitor our forests, so that we can smoke out those criminals infesting our bushes with kidnappings and killings.
“He (Fayemi) was the first governor to sign into law the Amotekun bill, aside championing its creation to safeguard our territorial integrity in the Southwest,” he added.