#Editorial

The proposed Akure Aerotropolis

THE  recent ground-breaking ceremony on the construction of an aerotropolis at the Akure Airport is worth celebrating as it signals not only an increase in the revenue base of Ondo State, but also the creation of job opportunities for the unemployed, as well as minimizes the time-cost functions of space and distance. The aerotropolis is  the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa, the product of a public/private partnership arrangement between the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and a private investor, Ala Resort Limited.

DURING the unveiling of the project at Owode in the Akure North Local Government Area, it was revealed  that the location of the aerotropolis  in Oba-Ile in Akure North Local  Government was a good package put together for the good people of  Ondo, Ekiti and Osun sates  South West, and Nigeria as a whole. The project, centered around the Akure Airport, will be a world-class infrastructure to be developed rapidly, yet organically, into a postmodern aerotroplolis, a multi-functional business hub, a residential haven, a holiday, and tourism destination with safe, seamless access to the global community.

THE HOPE commends the idea surrounding the establishment of such  a pet project, since a private/public partnership arrangement boosts the fortunes of enterprises, especially when set up with people in mind, having the possibility of development into a postmodern structure, a business hub with access to the global community.

FROM  experience  an aerotropolis encompasses a range of infrastructural facilities, it creates job opportunities to numerous persons, as it supports both aviation-linked businesses and thousands of air travelers. Moreso, an aerotropolis functions as an urban pipe, it minimizes the time-cost functions of space and distance, and  enhances operational efficiencies of many sectors.

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WHEN setting up the project, developers take into cognizance the landmass of an existing airport, and the Akure Airport provides a suitable location.. At the establishment of an aerotropolis, people behind the project target an airport that is able to function as a link to local and global markets as it occupies a central location for business development in this part of the South West, contiguous to Ekiti, Osun and Ogun States.

AN aerotropolis functions as a sub region where infrastructure, land use, and economy center around an airport, and the Akure Airport provides such a suitable location, forming a core of aeronautical, logistical and commercial infrastructural facilities.

THE choice of Akure for the project therefore shows the astuteness of sponsors of the aerotropolis, as its airport possesses a large landmass, links to local and global markets and provides a core of aeronautical and logistical infrastructure.

ACCORDING  to the Ondo State Bureau of Statistics, 12,400 unemployed people aged between 15 and 64 showed up to be registered few years ago, but with this project, a lot of unemployed persons will gain employment directly and indirectly. In 2021, the Ondo State Revenue Service generated N30.8 billion, but with the presence of an aerotropolis that links local and global markets, the revenue generation capacity of the state will show a rise.

THOUGH Ondo State scored the lowest poverty figures in the country at 27 percent during a Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) survey six months ago, with this project, the number will experience a reduction further in MPI exercises.

THE HOPE endorses the establishment of the aerotropolis in Akure, because it will not only bring down the number of the unemployed, but it will also increase the revenue generation capacity of  Ondo State  as well as improve scores in poverty surveys.

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 THE HOPE enjoins sponsors of the project not to abandon it  but  fulfill all agreements reached with the host  community. We encourage the state government to have an appropriate legal framework to respond to the aerotropolis, ensuring the protection of the interests of residents of the state, making sure investors frame the entire venture to be economically friendly, while not forgetting to educate the people on the importance of the endeavor.

THE  host community on their part should assist in making the project a huge success, while urgently tapping into skills to make them benefit from such features as a sports academy and give project investors all cooperation during the construction of the project.

ALL stakeholders in the venture should carry out their responsibilities as stipulated in the agreements, because if project sponsors fulfill their part of the bargain, the government’s legal framework will respond favorably to the issue, and the residents of Oba-Ile will be happy to provide a conducive environment for the entire exercise.

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The proposed Akure Aerotropolis

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The proposed Akure Aerotropolis

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