Senate seeks upgrade of Ibadan airport

Senate on Tuesday urged the Federal Ministry of Aviation and other relevant authorities to upgrade the Ibadan domestic airport, Alakia in Oyo state capital to the status of an International airport with modern facilities.

This was sequel to a motion, “need to upgrade Ibadan airport to International airport with modern facilities,” sponsored by Senator representing Oyo South, Senator Kola Balogun. It was co-sponsored by 37 other lawmakers across political parties and geo-political zones in the country.

Leading debate on the motion, Balogun said it has become important to upgrade the airport “because of the potential of Ibadan to attract economic development both locally and internationally, due to the presence of institutions like the University of Ibadan, University College Hospital, International Okerete Market, Bola Ige International Business Complex, etc.”

He noted that the presence of an International airport in Ibadan would complement the activities of the Ibadan inland dry port and accelerate the derivation of the expected socio-economic benefits from the inland dry port.

The lawmaker added that such airport would enhance the efficient and effective movement of goods and people from Nigeria and across the world and reduce excess pressure on the road and infrastructures within Oyo and adjoining states, and thus save lives.

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Balogun further noted that the proximity of Ibadan airport to the Murtala Mohammed International, Ikeja, which is about 145km would make investment easier for already established investors in Lagos to expand their businesses and companies, and as such add to the nation’s gross domestic product, GDP.

According to him: “The total land area acquired for the Ibadan airport is about 557.1 hectares currently, hence when fully utilised can conveniently accommodate a standard international airport.”

Balogun also maintained that an Ibadan international airport would propel tourism and provide a communication link “which is vital between different groups of people involved within the region.”

Similarly, he added that it would attract foreign investment to the region, economic development to both Oyo state and other neighbouring states in the South-West, and improve the quality of life of the people and ultimately increase the gross domestic product, GDP of the country.

Adding his voice in support of the motion, Senator representing Osun East,  Francis Fadahunsi,  expressed concern  that the Ibadan airport, established in the early 80s was yet to be upgraded after several years, submitted that the upgrade of the airport would attract more foreign investments not only to Ibadan but the country as a whole.

He said: “Ibadan, with a population of about six million people and the status of headquarters of the South-West region, is supposed to have an international airport. It is the only major city among the geo-political zones that lacks an international airport.

“If the airport is upgraded, it will attract more foreign investments and the benefits would not only be to Ibadan or South-West but the country in general.”

President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan after putting the resolutions of the upper legislative chamber into voice votes, referred the notion to the Committee on Aviation for further legislative work and report back within eight weeks.