Kogi Govt Secures FG’s Approval For International Airport Project

Kogi State under the leadership of Governor Usman Ododo has secured the approval of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to construct an international airport in the Zariagi area of the state.

This was made known in a statement on Friday by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo.

Fanwo revealed that the approval for the Kogi State International Airport which is a top priority for Governor Ododo’s government was confirmed through a letter dated October 9, 2024.

He noted that besides the potential to boost the state’s economy, the project will tackle unemployment in the state with the creation of jobs and will also push the state to the global scene.

The statement revealed that the governor expressed thanks to President Bola Tinubu and the aviation minister for approving the project which has the capacity to develop the state.

He disclosed that the aviation team sent to inspect the location of the project were satisfied. They also approved the state government’s plan regarding the project.

The Commissioner stated, “The Ododo Administration has considered it a top priority for Kogi State to have an International Airport and join the league of the aviation hub. The strategic location of the state is no doubt, an invaluable advantage in harnessing the aviation service market as the centre of the nation.

“The project will not only boost the economy of the State, it will also create jobs and bring the potential of the state to the global scene.

“The Governor is determined to hire the best hands in the industry to make the project a huge success. As you are aware, aviation is an industry of trust and standards.

“We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and the Aviation Minister for the historic approval that will help to further develop Kogi State. We want to also say that the Airport will also have capacity for Cargo as that is one of our key focuses in the project.”

“Zariagi is a very strategic community that already boasts of an airstrip. The team from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development was satisfied with the location and the plans of the Kogi State Government on the project.”

In related news, the Kogi State government on Monday, October 7 announced an immediate salary increase for civil servants in the state.

According to the governor, the new wage of N72,500 aims to help civil servants in Kogi cope with the economic hardship in the country and support families in the state.

The Governor also announced a one-year suspension of the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax.