The Gateway International Airport in Ogun State has been positioned as a game-changing infrastructure project capable of resolving the chronic bottlenecks in cargo movement across Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
The Executive Secretary and CEO of the Nigeria Shippers’ Council, Dr. Akutah Pius Okeyima, gave this assessment during a courtesy visit to Governor Dapo Abiodun at the State Secretariat in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Dr. Akutah, who led a high-powered delegation to the state, noted that the lack of an effective intermodal transport system has long hampered trade within West Africa.
He described the airport as a strategic hub that will significantly improve the “ease of doing business” by facilitating faster movement of goods.
“The movement of cargo around West Africa is very challenging today,” Dr. Akutah observed. “However, the development of this cargo airport, alongside the simultaneous construction of two dry ports in Ogun State, presents enormous potential to facilitate trade to West Africa and beyond.”
He further explained that the Council’s decision to host its fourth annual retreat in Ogun State was a move of solidarity with the state government’s efforts to decongest national seaports through massive infrastructure investment.
Responding, Governor Abiodun revealed that the state’s logistics vision extends beyond air and land.
He disclosed that the government is actively developing a Deep Sea Port to further accelerate economic growth and provide a much-needed alternative to the perennially congested Lagos ports.
The Governor commended the Shippers’ Council for its regulatory role in streamlining cargo handling and urged the delegation to use their retreat to proffer workable solutions for Nigeria’s maritime and logistics challenges.
“Our administration has been deliberate in creating a peaceful and conducive environment for people to live, work, and do business,” Abiodun stated, reiterating his commitment to transforming Ogun into a premier industrial and logistics destination.
Dr. Akutah praised the “remarkable progress” witnessed in the state over the last two years, attributing the influx of new industries to the Governor’s focus on excellence and infrastructure transformation.
