Lafia Airport: A Viable Alternate To Abuja, Makurdi And Jos.

I find it strange that anyone, including those from Nasarawa state, should criticise the state governor, Al-Makura’s proposed Lafia airport. This brilliant idea should not be diffused by the various, warring politicians in the state. The economic benefits will surely supersede the various political interests in the area if all the antagonists can, for a minute, look at the positive aspect of the project.

I am not from the state, and I have never met the governor, but in a country where state governors have looted their state treasuries with nothing to show for it, Al-Makura’s dream of an international standard commercial airport in Lafia should be welcomed with open arms. 

From the information gathered, Nasarawa state will contribute only 25% of the project cost of N17billion. The Chinese partners, Tongyi Nigeria Limited, will offset the remaining 75%. They are expected to recover their investment in 25 years. This is the most comprehensive partnership we have witnessed in Nigeria in a long time. Why, then, shouldn’t the indigenes of the state embrace it?
At times, we must shelve aside, political and tribal differences to bring progress and prosperity to our people. The majority of skilled and unskilled workers in that airport will come from the state. Some Nigerians, especially, aviation workers will equally gain from this development. 

In addition to the creation of employment, the airport will serve as a viable alternate to Abuja, Makurdi and Jos bound flights. It is, therefore, very importantly to equip the airfield with modern landing aids (Instrument landing system, Very High Omnidirectional Range, and Radar Services for ATC).
Lafia airport had foundation laying ceremony on the 11th of December 2015. It will be situated in the flat land of Kwandere, 17km from Lafia town. The 3.2km runway with 45m width is designed for landing directions of 04|22. It has capacity for both passengers and cargo traffic of nearby states and even cities, on various large sized airplanes. 

Nasarawa will be among the states that have curiously decided to bring development to their area via air link. The other states are Bauchi, Jigawa, Delta, Taraba, Kebbi, and Gombe. The governors’ of these states, at least, left behind, an infrastructural legacy that can never be erased. I am always in support of those who use public funds to create further economic activities in their society, no matter how much personal gain is derived in the initial project. 

The airport will service Southern Plateau: Shendam, Quanpan, and Langtan. It will equally support air movement of Southern Kaduna: Jemaa, Kaura, Kwoi and Gwantu local government areas. Makurdi bound passengers will equally benefit from this airport, even after 6pm when Makurdi airport would have closed.
In comparison to the other states, the price tag for the development of Lafia airport is reasonable. Bauchi and Jigawa states spent about the same N17 billion each, while Delta airport in Asaba gulped over N42 billion. 

The Federal government has a benchmark to revalue the proposed N63 billion for the construction of Nnamdi Azikiwe’s second runway in Abuja. If a complete airport with a 3.2km runway, a terminal building, tower and parking ramp costs only N17 billion, then it is an absolute fraud if the price tag of constructing Abuja’s second runway is in excess N8 billion. This has always been my stand.
It is very important to understand why various communities advocate airport development within. The first reason is creation of jobs; others include improved revenue from taxation and charges, and finally, other economic prospects of air linkage to other parts of the country. 

These reasons cannot be undermined. For Lafia, and other northern airports, the annual Pilgrimage to Mecca is made easier because of direct passenger evacuation of the local pilgrims from their communities without the long and arduous road transportation to the neighbouring states where, because of flight delays, Pilgrims loiter on the airport premises waiting endlessly for their moment to enplane. The same hassle, and most times, dehumanizing experiences are encountered on the return journey from Mecca, especially, when Pilgrims’ baggage don’t accompany them. Alleviating these perennial problems that besiege a state without an airport is as important as supporting indigenes free access to their high places of worship, Christians and Muslims alike. Christians who can afford to go on Pilgrimage to Jerusalem encounter similar hurdles.
For a city to attract and retain corporations with national and global ties — as well as talented people to work for them — efficient, functional airports that are easily reached will be increasingly important. 

An airport is a gateway to a city. If the airport works, it becomes easy and pleasurable to visit the metropolis for business or pleasure. And when it doesn’t….some may not come back. The dangerous roads in Nigeria have made air transportation highly popular.
The importance of airports as global business hubs is now being recognized globally. In some parts of the world, entire cities or at least fully-functioning suburbs (with office space, industrial buildings, and residential and retail districts) are being built around airports in a phenomenon known as the aerotropolis. 

But even without being an aerotropolis, a city’s airport is a first impression — and a last impression. It facilitates face-to-face communication, strikingly important to generating innovation. And airports allow global companies to establish operations in multiple cities and have certain managers and executives move seamlessly between locations (Richard Florida, 2012).
Airports are much more than places to catch planes, attend an in- transit business meeting, or do some duty free shopping; they are among the largest investments a city and region make. 

A study by economist Jan Brueckner notes a close connection between airline passengers and regional employment growth, finding that a 10 percent increase in passengers in a metro, such as Lafia, generates a one percent increase in regional employment. The evidence confirms the common view that good air link, airline service is an important factor in urban economic growth.
Those who are opposed to Al-Makura’s airport development project in Nasarawa state should rationalise the points made above. 

They should look at their immediate neighbouring state of Benue where the former governor, Suswam, without any prominent infrastructural development drained the state treasury, and carted away with over N6 billion. His case remains in the EFCC, and if our lame duck anti-graft system remains the same, he will be freed by the court. This will be another great loss to one Nigerians; and this time the people of Benue will bear the scourge.
Everyone is aware of the various tribal/ethnic conflicts with vicious political rhetoric in the state, but economic prosperity is the only remedy to the verbal, diabolical and political hostilities in Nasarawa region of Nigeria. Therefore, there is every need to encourage governor Al-Makura with this laudable forward -step.

Capt Daniel Omale....