With the current dwindling petroleum prices in the global market and the global economic crisis, the priorities of any government is to explore every sectors in a aim to diversify its economy into other alternative means of generating income(IGR) for its country. This is no different with the Nigerian economy and that is why the president Buhari-led Government has intensify efforts in the diversification of the Nigerian economy into Agriculture, mining etc. this development which has affected the federal allocation to states and local government in the country hence the need for state Governors to work in the same vein towards looking inwards to create ways of increasing its IGR for their individual states, So that it maybe use to compliment the insufficient federal allocations as well as implementing some capital projects in the state for the welfare and development of the people and state at large.
Giving the situation of Nasarawa state at the moment, there is no better idea of investment or capital project the Government would have come up with other than the likes of such lucrative viable and societal development based project like the proposed Cargo Airport project by his Excellency Alh. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura. This has clearly indicates the high level of the Governor’s commitment to developing the state and improving the well being of the people of Nasarawa State. This project if implemented will not only improve the economy of the state, generate revenue, crate more employment for professionals, artisans, entrepreneurs and labourers but would also add to the GDP of the country, the Aviation sector, attracts investors and most importantly, bring Nasarawa Sate to lime light as businessmen and women in the international market would be attracted to come and trade or invest. Now you can see how viable, lofty and productive this propose project is and why Governor Al-Makura has resolved to go for it.
For the benefits of the ordinary people in Nasarawa State who may not have the idea of the importance of this project and its economic impact to the state and the people, permit me to run you through some of these importance and benefits of the construction of a Cargo Airport in a State.
EXPECTED IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED AIR CARGO TRANSPORT TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NASARAWA STATE
Air transport is one of the most important industries in the world today. It is the major contributor to the advancement in modern societal development given to its development and technical service achievements. The growth in the Aviation sector cannot be matched by any major form of transport due to its technicality and new innovations currently going on in the sector according to experts. The above has helped so much in economic and tourist development of the nation and the globe. Demand for air transport service has increased the influence of air transport in the nation and global economy, thereby enhancing rapid moment of passengers, goods and services to the domestics and world market. This in turn helps to generate higher revenue to the economy by way of fast in-and-out flow of goods and services. The Air transport sector helps to promote and improve quality of life, living standard of the people within the nation. All these helps to generate economic growth and poverty alleviation by way of providing employment opportunities, increasing revenues from taxes, the employment opportunity which would be generated through supply chain transformation from airport. The air cargo transport has developed very rapidly during the last decades from pure by-products to a self-contained. One of the most efficient and economics ways of freight (Cargo) transport is through air. Most of the cargos transported via air include perishable goods such as horticultural products and foods. This shows that there is always need for minimum flight time to avoid losses that may occur due to preservative measures taken on the goods. By implication this means that the airport will always be busy which means more revenue for the state and more engagement of the youths (Jobs).
Apart from the economics activities, it will also serve as a gateway to move passengers, cargos and Agro-allied produce out of the state and within the North-Central zone. This Cargo Airports in Nasarawa state would be a key to accelerating socio-economic development, moving agricultural and livestock produce out of Nasarawa state and other states Like Benue, Niger etc. into the international market. This airport if implemented as an air transport infrastructure would jump starts the economic development of Nasarawa state. This is just a summary of the importance and benefits this Airport project would bring to Nasarawa state.
THE GOVERNOR’S VISION FOR NASARAWA STATE AND ORGANIZED LABOUR’S POSITION ON THE CARGO AIRPORT PROJECT
Couple of weeks ago, the Nasarawa state organized labour stated its position on the Governor’s proposed Cargo Airport project when the Governor made the pronouncement in Lafia after meeting with FAAN delegation, where they assured the Governor of their support and commitment to the proposed project. The reaction of the organized labour which was published in some of the local, online and national dailies on the 5th of November, 2015 condemning the Cargo airport idea without any reasonable and justifiable reason or suggesting a better idea with better benefits to the people and the state. I found the press release of the organized labour laughable and as mere exhibition of high level of egocentrism, hidden personal agenda at the detriment of the welfare of the people, socio-economic benefit the people stand to benefit from the Governor’s project and economic growth to the entire state. Otherwise I see no reason or justification to the outright condemnation of such a viable and developmental project as proposed by Governor Al-Makura. By the way, I would be like us to note that it takes only a visionary and people oriented leader to look inward, makes a good research and a great wisdom from Almighty God to come up with such a productive and viable project that will be one of the major revenue generation source for the state and employment opportunity for the teeming youth in Nasarawa state but instead of the organized labour to support and applaud the technological ideology of the Governor, they went to the media to register their disapproval of the entire idea suggesting that the Governor invest in the intra transport system (Road Transport) buying more buses and vehicles that will be plighing our local roads in the intra (township) and inter local government (from Lafia to other L.G.A) transport system. I found this rather myopic, irrelevant, unnecessary and incomparable to the Cargo Airport project if implemented.
Now, let’s make a simple analogy on these two projects; the Governor’s proposed Cargo Airport project and the proposed Nasarawa State organized labour inter and intra city transport system. First-off, let me remind us that the transportation system in Nasarawa is vibrant, meaning we are not lacking as private investor have a great level of commitment apart from the Government commitment in that sector. In fact, if there is any sector in Nasarawa state that is well equipped and is having great competition is the road transport sub-sector. If you have any doubt on this try and stand by anywhere along Jos road or anywhere along Makurdi road and you would barely spend five minutes before you see vehicles asking if you are going to Nasarawa-Eggon, Akwanga, Keffi, Abuja and even Jos. Same thing to vehicle going to Agyaragu, Kadarko and even Makurdi. That’s apart from several parks we have that are full with vehicle waiting for passenger like on the move park etc. Now, all this aside, lets Assume we are having inadequate vehicles in the road transport sub-sector as claimed by the organized labour, can one compare the Economic and Political benefits of the Cargo Airport and that of the road transport system?
Now, this draws us to the following question;
- “In reality, are we really lacking in the road transport sub-sector in the state?”
- Is local transportation the top priority of the majority of the people or the teeming unemployed youths in the state?
- In terms of revenue generation and economic growth which would be more beneficial to the state?
- Which of these projects would attract investors into the state?
If one can sincerely answer these questions above, then am certain you would understand the Governor’s vision for the state and the obvious reason why the organized labour was against such projects. Because lots of people may not understand the economic importance of the construction of an airport, people driven by sentiments and ill-feelings for the person of Governor Al-Makura or his administration may simply try to manipulate and make such people fall cheap to such ill-objective and unconstructive criticism and condemnation just like that of the organized labour.
Speaking of comparism, there is no basis for comparism between the constructions of a Cargo airport and buying of buses for local road transportation because aside the small background given above, the overwhelming facts and economic benefits also mentioned on the importance of an airport construction, it will interest you to know that air transportation is a major industry in its own right and it also provides Important inputs into wider economic, political and social processes. Air transport can facilitate, for example in the economic development of a region or of a particular industry such as tourism, agriculture etc. it is one of the strongest security and economic infrastructure for any community and that is why an airport is believe to be an important asset for any community because, it attracts more investors, plays an important role in regional economic development, impacts economic, environmental, cultural, and social ways of life worldwide. Apart from the direct employment generated by the airport, there is indirect employment associated with activities that supports the airport, airtimes and passengers.
We should also note that airports are usually not just for passengers or Cargo travels alone but there are other major businesses that can grow around airports. Finally and most importantly, this project if implemented would not be just be for the people of Nasarawa state alone but it is a project to transform the entire North-Central geopolitical zone. Please my people how can a project with such benefit and importance of this magnitude be compared to just mere provision of additional buses to the local road transport sub-sector where we already have more than enough vehicles and resource to run such sub-sector. Clearly the organized labour has exposed itself and its personal agenda against the visionary leader and Governor whose priority is nothing but the people. I would like to use this medium to call on the Nasarawa sate organized labour to be upright and serve the purpose for which they were formed and for the good of Nasarawa state but not to serve or pursue their personal interest. I cast no aspersion but wish to state the obvious that the action of the organized labour was senseless, incisive, unjustifiable, and baseless as well as capable of misleading the good people of Nasarawa state. So I urge the organized labour to be supporters of good government policies, peace or/and projects that will bring about development regardless whether it is against their personal interest or not, as long as it is for the interest of the people and the state. We are not in anyway against the organized labour or any individual who chooses to criticize the Governor’s policies or projects, so long as such criticism is constructive, with good objectivity and has direct bearing to the development of the people of Nasarawa state and that such government projects will not in anyway affects the people positively or improve the economy of the state. Then such criticism is always welcome and as a matter of fact, we shall support in criticizing such government policies but as far as this Cargo airport project is concern, giving its importance to the state, they cannot be any better ways of helping the state develop and improving the lives of the people than the implementation of such project in the state.
Finally, i wish to call on the good people of Nasarawa state to always give Governor Al-Makura all the support he needs to take us to the promise land. Because, without our support and prayers, he may not be able to provide us the facilities and resources for our welfare and development. Nasarawa state is not the first to build an Airport, Such projects has been actualized in other states and region like Gombe, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Delta, katsina, Bauchi, Kebbi, Taraba and so on and is benefiting their economy why not Nasarawa state. The Importance of this Cargo Airport project cannot be overemphasized as the benefit is so enormous.
However, we the conscious youths of Nasarawa state wish to use this medium to appeal to His Excellency Alh. Umaru Tanko Al-makura to continue in the implementation of his technological and developmental ideologies for the development of the youth and people of Nasarawa state and we wish to also express our profound appreciation for such a laudable and viable Cargo airport project in Nasarawa state, and we particularly consider this a project not just as part of a solution to our immediate challenges or problems in Nasarawa state particularly the increasing number of unemployed youths but also a creation of an enabling environment for us the youths and future leaders of our dear state and country at large to operate. As for fragment of some unions in the state and some infinitesimal individuals whom instead of supporting and complimenting the Governor’s efforts in bringing developments to the people and the state in general instead resolved to antagonizing with ill-objective and criticizing his lofty Mission for Nasarawa state. We are urging you to shield your swords, embrace peace and support this administration to implement its campaign promises to the people.
As for His Excellency, we are encouraging you to remain focus and continue with your good work, we the conscious youths of Nasarawa state are solemnly behind you, we also urge you to remain resolute in your cause and executing of your mandate to the good people of Nasarawa state. We pray that the almighty Allah continue to guide and provide you with more wisdom and the will to continue in your mission to taking Nasarawa state to the Promised Land.
God bless the home of solid mineral, God bless the people of Nasarawa state and God bless Nigeria.
By Nasiru Abdullahi
Writer and Editor at the ICONS publishers limited Zaria, Kaduna state.
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Twitter: @General_Nas101
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