By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has officially handed over the construction of the state’s multi-billion naira international airport to contractors, marking the commencement of the landmark project in Zariagi, near Lokoja.
Represented at the ceremony by the Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Victor Atuluku, the governor described the project as a strategic, people-oriented investment aimed at transforming the state’s economic landscape.
The project, awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and Gamji Construction Company, is expected to meet global aviation standards and position Kogi as a hub for trade, investment, and industrial growth.
Speaking at the project site, Atuluku said the airport would unlock vast economic opportunities, attract both local and foreign investors, and create jobs across multiple sectors.
He noted that beyond aviation, the project is designed to drive economic diversification and long-term development in the state.
“This airport is more than infrastructure; it is a gateway to economic expansion and a catalyst for growth,” he said.
Governor Ododo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to timely completion, pledging adequate deployment of resources to meet project timelines.
He also assured investors of a secure business environment and urged contractors to adhere strictly to quality standards and delivery schedules, while calling on host communities to support the project’s smooth execution.