Makurdi cargo terminal to grow economy

The remodeling of Makurdi Airport Terminal, one of the 16 designated perishable cargo terminals, will soon be completed, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Eng Sale Dunoma, has said.

He gave the assurance while inspecting work at the Makurdi Airport over the weekend, tasking the contractor to follow the specifications as FAAN engineers will continue to monitor progress of work closely.

The airport terminal is being remodelled with emphasis on safety and security and the capacity to process fresh agric produce for foreign and local markets.

The Managing Director inspected the Arrival and halls, lounges, toilets and potential spaces for commercial offerings.

Currently, African perishable cargo exports to Western countries is in excess N250 billion, annually, and Nigeria doesn’t benefit a lot from these huge exports. Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, among others, formed major beneficiaries.

The perishable cargo terminal is important in the aviation roadmap approved by the Federal Executive Council.

The perishable cargo programmes is expected to bring about a bottom-up growth and development of the Nigerian society.

It will also provide a platform for farmers in the state and the neighbouring communities to export their commodities and earn more income to improve their living conditions.

Benue State is considered the food basket of Nigeria because of its agricultural capability, producing items ranging from oranges, mangoes, yams, cassavas, rice, vegetables, sesame seeds, millet, maize, guinea corn, etc. but much of what the farmers produce are either grossly under-priced or rot as a result of lack of local capacity to absorb the huge harvests annually.

The Federal Government hoped with the perishable cargo in Makurdi, farmers will begin to secure real value for their hard work as their farm produce will find their way to the biggest cities and supermarkets not only in Nigeria but also in Europe and America.