Why it’s important to build Lafia Cargo Airport

Stakeholders in the air transport business are presently facing a dilemma regarding the scheduled closing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja for repairs. According to Aviation Ministry officials, stakeholders met to decide on the next move following the expected closure of the airport. Already, the Niger State government went seeking for the approval of […]

Stakeholders in the air transport business are presently facing a dilemma regarding the scheduled closing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja for repairs. According to Aviation Ministry officials, stakeholders met to decide on the next move following the expected closure of the airport. Already, the Niger State government went seeking for the approval of the Aviation Ministry to consider diverting traffic to Minna Airport pending the completion of work at the Abuja airport. Not only have that, the Kaduna stated government equally saw the opportunity to provide an alternative landing ground for Abuja bound air travelers. Check out the distances from these two states to Abuja and compare that with the distance from Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital to Abuja and it becomes clear why it has become necessary to build the Lafia Cargo Airport. This scenario paints graphically why it has become necessary to build the Lafia Cargo airport, especially with Lafia strategically located and being within reach of the FCT. Generally, politician shave always been the problem when it comes to building infrastructure; they are wont to raise issues where otherwise they should not only support a well conceived idea but also proffer ideas on the way forward. Again, some of these politicians, arguably blinded by a fatal dose of the pull-him-down syndrome, go the extra mile to condemn an idea they know is good for the state and its people.  They throw up all manner of excuses to make the venture seem unviable just because they couldn’t originate such elevating enterprise. Politicians can indeed be funny. They attack Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura’s idea to build the cargo airport with venom, making it appear as if the governor is embarking on a private venture with public funds. They proffer all manner of excuses; they say the state lacks the capital even when the airport is to be built on a Build-Operate and Transfer (BOT) arrangement with foreign partners. Now they say the governor will use the Paris Club Refund to build the airport! Again, they are quick to accuse the governor of failing to utilize on the proximity of the state to the FCT. The cargo airport is an idea whose time has come. With the dwindling federal allocation occasioned by the fall in oil prices, there is the urgent need for states like Nasarawa to find other means of generating internal revenue.  As a growing megacity, Abuja would require alternative airports in the nearest future, with generations yet unborn to benefit from the well thought-out project like the Lafia Cargo Airport but politicians won’t hear about this! Even when Governor Al-Makura secured foreign investors to sink in their capital with the state committing minimal resources, politicians are whipping up sentiments to ensure the project was sidelined. The same politicians will shamelessly accuse the governor of not exploiting the proximity of the state with the FCT to improve the revenue base of the state. Now it’s becoming clear that those who are kicking against the construction of the airport are not being fair to the people of the state.

The Lafia Cargo Airport is a well conceived idea that would position the state to capitalise on its closeness to the FCT. Though the economy is not so friendly, it’s pertinent to call on Governor Al-Makura to remain steadfast in his decision to build the airport. Generations of Nasarawa State yet unborn will be grateful to him for bequeathing such laudable project. The state government should therefore go out of its way to explain to the people why such projecthas become necessary and how it intends to fund the project. 

Ali Abare Abubakar, Keffi, Nasarawa State.