Governor Kayode Fayemi has assured the people of Ekiti that the state’s airport under construction will be completed before the expiration of his tenure on October 15, 2022.

The project is valued at N20 billion.

Mr Fayemi gave the assurance on Wednesday during a tour of the airport and other projects in Ado- Ekiti.

The governor expressed delight at the level of work done at the airport, saying he is confident that the project would be delivered before he leaves office.

Mr Fayemi disclosed that the various legacy projects put in place by his administration were designed to completely change the character of the state by turning it into an economic zone.

He said the idea of Knowledge zone project was about using knowledge for wealth creation in the drive to turn Ekiti to a destination of choice for innovation, creativity, startup activities, talent city for engineers, computer technologists, agriculture technologists, biotechnology and medical tourism.

This, he said, was in line with the Afe Babalola multi-systems hospital.

Mr Fayemi said the Ekiti airport’s 3.2km runway was constructed with the capacity to accommodate all types of aircraft.

According to him, the airport will also have facilities for the Nigerian Air Force to have their own operations as well as for maintenance and associated engineering components.

“This is a routine visit again both to the Knowledge Zone and the international cargo airport, and I am here with one of our private sector partners, the managing director of Axxess International, Cavista, John Olajide and his team, they are collaborating with us on the private sector aspect of this,” explained Mr Fayemi.

The Ekiti governor added, “You’ve seen it, the runway is completely done, the terminal building is progressing and from what the project manager has just told me, they are still on course to completing this in September and just in time before we exit but whatever is left, I have no fear again. I know that the incoming administration would continue at pace with the vision that we’ve espoused for this.”

Mr Fayemis said it would “change the character” of Ekiti completely and make “this a special economic zone that is linked to the knowledge zone, almost an aerotropolis of all range of facilities.”

(NAN)