By EMMA OBI, Calabar –
Host communities of the proposed Obudu International Airport in the northern senatorial district of Cross River have declared their unalloyed support for the proposed project.
Ayade said that the Airport, when completed, will boost the state’s economy through export of ornamental flowers and other resources found in abundance in Northern Cross River.
The five host communities of Atiekpe, Ikwuomkwu, Igwo, Okamibi and Abonkib declared their support for the project on Monday in their separate presentations during an interactive session with the governor at the project site.
The communities said their support for the Air Port project is anchored on the fact that it will attract enormous economic benefits particularly, for the teeming unemployed youths in the area.
Most of the youths that turned out for the meeting carried placards some of which read;
“We are extremely proud that Igwo is one of the communities that donated land for this project. We are happy that in our life time, Igwo will be hosting an airport. This airport will bring jobs and development to our people. We are grateful to His Excellency” and several others.
The Clan Head of Abonkib in Obudu Urban 1, His Royal Highness, Augustine Ikashi, stressed that the people are fully behind the airport project.
“It is not because the governor is our own son, but because we need development, because we love progress, therefore, we are fully behind the airport project. We believe it will bring development to the entire community.
“I think the project is the only good thing that has happened to Obudu and Cross River State. So if we have this International airport, Obudu is going to be on the world’s map.” The royal father added.
Responding, Governor Ayade disclosed that the state government has so far paid N500 million as compensation to the communities that donated their land for the project.
The governor expressed optimism that in no distant future, the airport will be completed and operational as the federal government has already given the necessary approvals.
“We are right here at the site of an international cargo airport in Obudu. The intention of this airport is to provide cargo support services and export of ornamental and special flowers from the Obudu Cattle Ranch. As you are well aware, a country like Kenya does average of 39 million Euros annually exporting flower from an altitude even less than that of Obudu cattle ranch.
“So for Cross River State, we need to have an airport here to be able to assist us take advantage of the Obudu Cattle Ranch. More so Obudu Cattle Ranch is a beautiful place of nature which has been heavily under utilised because of access. So we are building an airport that can allow us benefit from the full potentials of the ranch.” Ayade stated.
“We have very essential elements to find which is the agricultural heritage of Cross River State and with all the precious stones available to us, the cargo airport will be very critical”. He added.
“Every single contributing village here today is excited about the potential of this airport. And we have also received the approval from the Federal Ministry of Aviation already. We have all the necessary approvals and construction work is ongoing. We are working very hard to see that this airport is ready by the close of this year,” the governor disclosed.
Earlier, the Cross River state Commissioner for Aviation, Dr Jacob Otu Enyia disclosed that the airport runway will be the longest in the country at 5.6km.
“We have also been able to remove the top soil and the next phase will see us go into filling to attain the required level as requested by the consultant,” the Commissioner disclosed.
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