The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has affirmed its readiness to partner the Ekiti State government on the proposed International Agro-Allied Cargo Airport in the state.
This was made known on Tuesday by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, while playing host to the governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, in his office at NAF Headquarters, Abuja.
Abubakar expressed delight over the strategic initiative to construct the airport in the state, noting that the project would not only provide economic opportunities but also boost security in the southwestern part of the country by enhancing the NAF’s Air Power projection capability.
He said the NAF already has presence in Lagos, Oyo and Osun states, and adding Ekiti to the list would undoubtedly enhance the operations of the force in the geo-political zone.
Abubakar disclosed that in addition to utilizing the airport to enhance Air Power projection, the NAF would equally deploy some of its Regiment and Special Forces (SF) personnel to ensure the protection of the facility as well as add value to internal security operations in the area.
Highlighting the nexus between security and development, the Air Chief emphasized that there could be no tangible development in a state without the security of lives and properties as ‘security and development are two sides of the same coin’.
As a show of its commitment, Abubakar said a team would visit Ekiti State to assess the proposed site to ascertain areas where the NAF could be of assistance, while efforts would be initiated to seek necessary approval for the establishment of a base in the state.
Earlier in his remarks, Governor Fayemi commended the Air Chief for his astute leadership which has led to unprecedented transformation and repositioning in the Air Force.
Fayemi revealed that 40,000 acres of land had been secured and the process for the construction of the Agro-Allied Airport had already commenced with support from the Africa Development Bank (AfDB), Ministry of Aviation and other relevant partners.
According to the governor, the project, which was being coordinated by a seasoned retired NAF fighter pilot, Air Vice Marshal Adeniyi Ojuawo, would have a Category IV runway which can support all levels of civilian and military air operations.
He said the airport could also serve as a military base to enhance the NAF’s Air Defence capability in the Southwest.