President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to inaugurate the Minna Airport and the adjoining Agro Processing Zone in Niger State, marking a significant leap in the state’s infrastructural and economic development.
The Governor of the State, Rt Hon Mohammed Umaru Bago, disclosed this in Minna, Niger State capital, on Saturday, when he received the national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on a tour of the airport, as well as Agro Processing Zone ready for commissioning on Monday by President Tinubu.
The initiative, spearheaded by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, is poised to transform Minna into a central hub for agriculture and aviation in the North Central region.
The state-of-the-art airport, nearing its final stages of completion, is expected to bolster the state’s connectivity and logistics, facilitating the movement of goods and people.
The adjacent Agro Processing Zone, sprawling over 1,000 hectares, is equipped with modern drip irrigation systems, positioning it to become Africa’s largest greenhouse complex.
Governor Bago has also unveiled plans for an additional 1,000 hectares dedicated to dairy production, with the aim of streamlining the supply chain by processing and freezing meat locally, thereby reducing the need for cattle transportation.
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This initiative is anticipated to generate employment opportunities and add value to the state’s agricultural sector.
The ambitious project extends beyond agriculture, with plans to expand the land around the airport to 10,000 hectares and the construction of a 140-kilometer water irrigation system sourced from the Sororo dam.
The government’s vision includes a 50-year developmental roadmap, with the first phase expected to be operational within the next few years.
In an effort to attract investment, the state is offering a power holiday to industries setting up in the zone, leveraging the four hydropower dams within Niger State that contribute significantly to the nation’s power supply.
The state seeks a 13.5 percent derivation from the federal government, acknowledging the displacement and land loss suffered due to the dams since Nigeria’s independence.
The transformation of the Minna Airport has been met with praise from NUJ President, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, who commended the extensive renovations that have elevated the airport to international standards.
This development is a testament to the current administration’s commitment to revitalizing Niger State’s infrastructure and economy.
