The move by the Benue State government to build a Cargo Airport in Makurd has attracted some comments from media, especially the one by the Daily Trust’s editorial of 8th November.
Of course, no one would argue about the bad roads, especially in the state capital or about the need to create value addition for agriculture produce in the state, but the idea of using the Air Force Base airport in Makurdi for commercial landing and cargo as suggested by the editorial team is out of place.
It is on record that before now, the military had insisted that they would not compromise security by opening its airport for commercial operations.
Even the federal government’s plan in the past to extend the existing airport to accommodate a Cargo wing was turned down by the Air Force officials.
The new arrangement by governor Ortom is strictly on a PPP system, which attracts only 15 percent investment from the state government and 85 percent from the private investor on a concession basis to complete a cargo airport.
The cargo airport itself stands the chance of exposing the state’s agricultural produce to the rest of the world.
If anything, Governor Ortom should be encouraged to complete all the technical engagement processes to ensure that investors are moved to site. This would ensure that the Benue people gain maximally from the project. In fact, the project should be seen as a plus for infrastructure development in the state.
There is no doubt that when construction work begins, one of the multiplier effects would be the creation of new jobs for the youths in the state. The take-off of the project would also bring in many investors, especially in the agro-allied sector of the economy. [myad]
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