The Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, stated this while fielding questions from newsmen after being conducted round the airport by Governor Dapo Abiodun.
Edun described the airport as a major economic project of the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration, which, when fully operational, will be a game-changer for the state.
He said: “I have had the opportunity to be here before and I know that the ARISE Agro-Cargo Industrial and Export Processing Zone is a major economic achievement that speaks to the possibility of rapid growth of the economy.
“It is the type of investment that grows the economy, that creates jobs, that reduces poverty and good for the people of Nigeria and Ogun State in particular.
“As for this particular facility, this airport which is reputable to have the longest runway in Nigeria, I can see the terminal building receiving finishing touches to make it a full blown international passengers and cargo airport.”
Edun, who described the project as “very impressive” with high standard, said the governor has leveraged on his experience in the corporate world, coupled with zeal, efficiency and attention to details, to execute major projects in the state, saying the airport is a testimony.
Speaking further, the minister said: “I congratulate the governor and the people of Ogun State on what has been achieved so far, but more importantly, we look forward to the end result, which is the creation of jobs, increased production, increased opportunities for farmers to produce and sell their products at good price and in good time without any of the usual post harvest losses.
“The airport is good for the economy of Ogun State and Nigeria, and we would like to see more of this. We encourage other states to join the private sector to achieve such.”
He said the government at the centre is working towards creating a stable economy through the creation of a business-friendly environment to attract both local and foreign investors into the country.
“We have to get the economy going, get the inflation down, stabilise the exchange rate and get the export and export revenue increased so that it can be a source of funding for the growing the economy,” he added.
The Finance Minister, who acknowledged the current hardship in the country, however, emphasized that government has come up with some intervention schemes to cushion the effects, noting that transition period when reforms are implemented always come with pain. He, nonetheless, assured that there is hope in the days to come.
