The Ekiti State Government announced on Thursday that it has awarded a contract worth N3.86 billion for the construction of Aviation Staff Quarters at the Ekiti State Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, Ado-Ekiti.

A statement from the Special Adviser on Information and Value Orientation, Mr Taiwo Olatunbosun, said it was part of the decisions reached at the weekly Executive Council meeting held in Ado-Ekiti.

Olatunbosun stated that the construction of staff quarters was part of ongoing efforts to ensure the successful operational takeoff of the Ekiti State Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, Ado-Ekiti.

“The Ekiti State Government secured 14 residential flats comprising six two-bedroom flats and eight three-bedroom flats located at the GRA, Ado-Ekiti, to accommodate the aviation personnel deployed to the facility. These quarters provide a conducive living environment essential for staff productivity and welfare.

“The approval is to address the need to construct purpose-built aviation staff quarters within the external perimeter fence of the Airport in line with standard industry practice across Nigeria to optimise operational efficiency, enhance security of the Airport installations and reduce both transit time and daily transportation costs associated with commuting from GRA to the airport,” he said.

The Special Adviser stated that the proposed quarters approved are to be constructed by Messrs. CCECC Nigeria Limited, adding that they will consist of 40 residential units, comprising 32 self-contained apartments for junior and middle cadre officers, six one-bedroom apartments for senior staff, and two two-bedroom apartments for management staff.

“The scope of work also includes external infrastructure, construction of car parking lots and installation of a simple direct flame incinerator to serve as a Solid Waste Management System for the entire Airport,” he said.

He added that the contract was approved for completion within four months.

Additionally, a sum of N418.9 was awarded for the procurement of seven Toyota Hummer buses and one Toyota Prado SUV for Agricultural operations in Ekiti State.

Olatunbosun said the approval to procure Vehicles for Agricultural Operations in Ekiti State is aimed at facilitating the operations of the Bring Back Our Youths to Agriculture programme across the 16 local governments and 22 LCDA in the State.

“It is an expansion of the present Administration’s intervention programme on the ‘Bring Back Our Youths to Agriculture (BBYA)’, a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative which has empowered a large number of youths since 2024.

“The authorisation is by Direct Procurement Method to be undertaken by Messrs. Tayodeji Hub Nigeria Limited and delivered within six weeks.”

Meanwhile, the state government also approved N86 million for the construction of six 2,000-capacity poultry pens in three Senatorial Districts of the state.

Olatunbosun said the project expansion was approved to be awarded to Adebankpet Nigeria Limited with a six-week completion period.