Over the past few weeks or so many a media have carried headlines similar to the above. Each time I read the story my gut feeling was that a denial would soon follow from the Government House Makurdi saying that His Excellency Dr. Chief Samuel Ortom was quoted out of context. To my utter disappointment there has not been any denial so far, meaning that the news that the governor plans to build an airport is correct. If that being the case then, I would like to say it loud to the governor that Benue State,as it is now, does not need any cargo airport. The proposed cargo airport, according to Governor Ortom, is to facilitate evacuation of agricultural products overseas in export. This, will at best, be another white elephant project that the state can do without and should do without for the good of the people of the state. The state over the years has given itself the appellative of "food basket of the nation". It is indeed doubtful if we should still wear that toga, given that many other northern states have now gone far ahead of us in agriculture, especially in all-year cropping. Thanks to their foresight in developing and adoption of dams and irrigation in agriculture; in Benue, we are still almost completely dependent on seasonal rainfalls, and with all its vagaries and uncertainties in our farming practices.

The governor should be advised that the trend now is not that of sending raw farm produce for export. He should enable his people to add value by way of processing the harvested crops before export. In fact being a former minister of trade, he does not need much persuading to appreciate this new trend. The governor should, to start with, open up the rural communities, who at the moment, find it difficult to evacuate their farm produce from point of production to the markets in the urban areas, by constructing rural roads. He should also consolidate efforts of previous administrations in provision of rural electrification and potable water supply. These will no doubt encourage the location of cottage industries in places where crops are harvested for processing and value addition. Benue State at moment does not have enough exportable goods that would warrant huge investment on a cargo airport.
Many other reasons abound why Governor Ortom should jettison the idea of building a cargo airport. The ongoing revival of the railway system in the country means in the near future transportation of our goods (if we have them) to the seaports in Calabar, Portharcout (both of which are currently under-utilised), and Lagos will pose no problems. Common sense dictates that railroads and seaports make better economy in the export of bulky agro-products than air freighting.
If the motivation of the government is that of business opportunities that cargo airport may create, then that is the more reason why the government should bury the idea in a twelve feet deep grave with reenforced concrete slabs on top. Benue State Government is always quick to establish businesses but notoriously poor in managing and sustaining ventures. The relics of such past misadventures are too common a sight within the state. Remember BCC, AGROMILLERS, LOBI BANK, BENUE BOTTLING COMPANY, BENARDA, BENUE TRACTOR HIRING AGENCY, BENUE STANDARD NEWSPAPERS, TARAKU Vegetable OIL MILL,OTUKPO BURNT BRICKS, BENHOUSE BUILDING SOCIETY, BENUE HOTELS, ETC ETC. Obviously some of these have been cheaply given away, others are beyond redeemable. However, there are a few others like the Otukpo Burnt Bricks, Taraku Oil Mill etc, that can still be resuscitated. The governor should look in those directions for now. Doing so means creating job opportunities for the youths.

I read somewhere sometime ago that our neighbouring Nassarawa State was also considering establishing a cargo airport. If they do, would it not make a better economic sense for us to use their airport in addition to the railroad and seaports?

Discussing the merits and demerits of having or not having a cargo airport in our state with two friends the other day, one of them was quick to point out that the facility when built would serve the dual role of the expressed purpose and also enable the governor to fly out and into the state in his own private or chattered jet. The other friend agreed, adding that that was what's trending among the governors in the country and that our governor being among the 'five richest governors' had no reason not to join in. My contribution was that the Samuel Ortom, I used to know was not a man given to ostentatious living or glamour and assuming that he was, with some understanding he could use the Airforce Tactical Command Airfield, Makurdi, instead.

The governor should please have a rethink over this issue with a view to setting its priorities in order. Assuming the airport is in place and the rural roads remain dilapidated, how would the farmers or business men take their goods to the airport? By helicopters? Please, Mr Governor open up the rural roads instead and creat jobs for youths roaming the streets. Needless to say that the project will be a complete failure even before it is started and a huge waste on our scarce resources.

Same state salary nor dey show?

Omenka, wey you come come, faya on the monten dey, quick kon carry ya gofno comot from where e dey dance nake.d for city roundabout public square..

To build abi?

Another white elephant project

modath:


Same state salary nor dey show?

Omenka, wey you come come, faya on the monten dey, quick kon carry ya gofno comot from where e dey dance nake.d for city roundabout public square..

That man dey behave like bat with faulty ears. Him mata choke gan.

Gave up on him long time ago.

Let him just keep wearing that stupid hat and keep globe trotting until his tenure runs out.

What exactly do we need a cargo airport for. Even the rural roads are in terrible state of disrepair with attendant loss of farm produce every now and then by farmers. Will the planes leave the airport to airlift the products he intends to export right from the farms??

The man just dey confused.

No Roads in Benue


No Single Industry ( Dangote Off and On Mode)


95% of Benue youths na only Facebook politics them know....( No business ideas and not willing to leave the state to hustle. "Na our state Syndrome " )

Cargo Airport with which funds? A State with off and On Salary system....

Another means to divert funds to oil the machinery for the next election.

Siberia101:
No Roads in Benue


No Single Industry ( Dangote Off and On Mode)


95% of Benue youths na only Facebook politics them know....( No business ideas and not willing to leave the state to hustle. "Na our state Syndrome " )

Cargo Airport with which funds? A State with off and On Salary system....

Another means to divert funds to oil the machinery for the next election.

On and off salary loool