Ogun receives 3-in-1 airport proposal from US-based consortium

Ogun State Government has received a proposal from a US-based Consortium, The Triumvirate Group (TTG), for the construction of a compact 3-in-1 airport in Ajumo, Ijebu Waterside Local Government Area, which would be supported with infrastructure to include road & rail networks, as well as hospitality facilities and a casino.

The Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Dapo Okubadejo disclosed this during a meeting with representatives of the Group in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta which was also attended by officials of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).

He revealed that under the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration a lot of work had been done to improve the ease of doing business in Ogun State to promote an enabling environment for investors and enhance the positioning of Ogun, the Gateway State as Africa’s model logistics and industrial hub. Ogun welcomes proposals from both foreign and local investors to develop the State’s Infrastructure Development Programme.

He pointed out that the State was already constructing a Cargo airport in Ikenne Local Government Area of the State, which would also include an aerotropolis (a world standard airport city, sitting on about 5000 hectares of land). He invited TTG to explore opportunities to partner with the State on this project.

Okubadejo stated further that the cargo airport formed part of Ogun’s economic development objectives as highlighted in the state’s economic blueprint and strategic transport plan which encompasses a network of roads, rail airport and deep seaport.

Okubadejo noted that the proposal had the hallmark of a Public Private Partnership project, but more information on financing, duration and execution of the project was needed. He encouraged TTG to forward an Outline Business Case with attendant economic, social and environmental impact assessments with attendant air traffic studies to the Director-General of the Public Private Partnership Office, Dapo Oduwole.

TTG’s Nigerian Consultants – African Investments Limited, led by Niyi Raji confirmed that the proposed project would be private sector driven, confirming that TTG was a consortium of investors in the USA, with financial capacity and expertise in major infrastructural projects as well as a record of performance.

He submitted that the proposal, when it eventually comes to fruition would not only boost the State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and transform the state, but would also create employment opportunities to local residents and other neighboring States.