By Kayode Crown
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The Manager of the Akure Airport, Mrs Cecilia Oguama, has urged the Federal Government to complete the Cargo terminal of the Akure Airport, saying it holds vast potentials for the state.

She said that the move will facilitate export of agricultural products, and also impact on those in the transportation sector, who will be engaged in bringing farm produce to the airport and as well boost her economy.

In 2014, the Federal Government designated Akure airport as a perishable cargo terminal, but it has not taken off since. The construction activities started by a contractor had long ceased.

According to the Manager, if a Cargo terminal takes off at the Akure Airport, it will impact on the economy of the state and expand employment opportunities.

 She noted that the over thirty year-old airport has witnessed a rejuvenation of its operations with the flight operations of Air Peace and Overland Airways, which are making daily flights between Akure and Lagos and Akure and Abuja respectively.

While speaking with The Hope in her office on Monday, Oguama said she has great hopes for the Airport and that if possible; Memoranda of Understanding should be signed for flight to the east to and from the state.

Her words: “If the cargo terminal is really operational, this place will really turn around. It will impact positively on the immediate community and the state as a whole. We are looking forward to action of the governor in this to ensure that the cargo terminal becomes operational.”

Some groups have shown interest in investing in it, she said, adding that “hopefully when the arrangement is concluded, and the terminal becomes operational, Akure will be better for it.”

She predicts an increase in the revenue accruable to the state from this.

According to her, farmers can harvest the agricultural product, put in the warehouse and have them taken outside Nigeria for increase in revenue for the state, the country and for the airport too.

“Agriculture will be boosted, transportation will be boosted, because you will see people coming with lorries and containers and it will lead to employment of the youth and it will impact the communities around. A lot of markets and business opportunities will be opened through that.”

When it comes to collaboration with the State government, the Manager said that top on her agenda is the Cargo terminal, and “then they can get MoUs for other routes apart from Lagos and Abuja.

“We are still doing some statistics, without which the airlines will not go. They need to know if we have the strength or the passengers for that route, that can sustain the route. You don’t just put your aircraft where there are no passengers going there, or where it is seasonal.

“They need to be sure that they have a lot of people going on that route on a daily basis, then I am sure the airlines will come. I am working on it with the head of commercials. We are making our findings on this.”