The Ogun State government, in partnership with former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, has said it plans to commission an agro-commodities airport in the state.

The airport will facilitate the transportation of agro-allied commodities within and outside the country.

Governor Dapo Abiodun disclosed this recently, explaining that the project is duly supported by the ex-President cum farmer.

He noted that the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic has made it imperative to ensure adequate protection of the food systems.

To this end, he called for an influx of urgent and indigenous solutions to fast-track the sector’s recovery.

He expressed optimism in the ability of the state to become a special agro-processing zone.

He added that no fewer than 5,000 youths in the state will receive mentoring, support, and linkage to profitable agro-investment firms, as a prelude to setting them up in their respective businesses, this coming year.

“We are looking at having an agro-allied based airport from which agro produces like what we have here can be airfreighted outside the country and still get to other destinations fresh. We are looking at this kind of thing that will complement all that we are doing.

“We, as a government, believe in what Baba (Obasanjo) is doing and we will continue to advocate for this because we see ourselves as fast becoming the breadbasket of this nation.

“We believe in this project, we believe that agriculture is a way out of poverty and unemployment. We believe that we can actually grow what we eat and what we grow and we want to commend former President Olusegun Obasanjo for continuously and tirelessly walking the talk,” the governor said.

SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA