Edo: Building an Airport vs Railway vs Fixing Federal Roads

By Greg Ewah

1. The agitations for the Edo State Governor to construct Federal Roads as against establishing an Airport in Edo North seem rational on the face surface but on a closer look you will see that the economics would not add up especially when you consider the cost implications.

2. To re-construct any of the Federal Roads, be it Benin-Sapele Road or Benin-Auchi Road would gulp a minimum of N50bn of state funds, which is almost half of the state’s capital expenditure for a year. That would be a hard sell, giving that there are competing priorities.

3. However, the Airport Project in Edo North would run on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model would cost about N10bn.

4. The Airport Project will open up even more investment opportunity in Edo North further expanding the number of private investors to exploit the solid mineral deposits in that axis of the state and ultimately boost the state’s tax receipts.

5. On Federal Roads being constructed in the state, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) failed to construct the Benin-Abraka Expressway and the Obaseki-led administration has taken over the construction. The construction is ongoing and will be completed in due course.

6. For comparison, the Lagos-Ibadan rail project cost about $1.6bn for a 157km rail. The distance between Benin and Auchi is 100km. To attempt anything of that nature would cost nothing less than N500bn. So, we see how capital-intensive such projects can be.

7. Therefore, for a government, the focus should be on how to judiciously utilize public resources to ensure that the people derive the greatest benefit from public spending and Cmrd Harvey Avanrenren should take note.

Greg Ewah Esq., a lawyer, writes from Benin

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It is a loudable project to easy transportation by air for people in Edo North ,Kogi and other parts..Moreso ,it will open up investment to the area and create opportunities to every one around the axis

God bless Obaski

Governor obaseki is a God sent to Edo state

Obaseki is really trying his best he should keep it up.

Obaseki is a master planner. The man with the sauce

Gov Obaseki is making things right in Edo State and must commend him for his foresight and vision for a Greater Edo State in particular and Edolites in general.
God bless His Excellency,Gov Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki

Obaseki is a visionary, transformationally and prudent Governor, whom we should rally round.

Governor obaseki has really made progress in Edo State.let thank him for job well done

God bless his Excellency governor Godwin Nogheghase OBASEKI.

Governor Obaseki is a visionary Leader who has done well for Edo State.

Edo enemies are blind to see the good work of Governor Godwin obaseki

Good development

it doesn't make any economic sense. does the current benin airport make profit? what are it revenue? A cargo airport maybe feasible if there are product to be exported from there. what is the volume of trade in usd? A sea port may be viable only if the state productivity improves. project should only be embarked on after reasonable feasibility studies.

I don't want to trust Obaseki here, he has been busy signing one MOU and other here and there, is it Johnson Suleiman that I'll be using the airport? for he is the only one I know in that axis with that capacity

Loudable, kudos to the most strategic and planning Governor.

Commendable, thanks to Governor Obaseki.

He has done ✅ it all past Mark to governors obaseki once again

Obaseki don dey engage for anti media activities too? How come 98% of the commenders registered on nairaland between 4th and 6th of this month.
Obaseki wet dey fall hand for Edo state Na una wan hype abi

I'm yet to understand why states in Nigeria are obessesed with Airports though. If a farm was built in the same land, it will generate way more revenue.

If roads are fixed, half of Nigeria's airports will be useless.

Some airports in Nigeria only see one or two Airpeace/Arik flights that arrive by 11am and/or 3pm and depart an hour later. How is that an airport?

Airport will be ok because there are no airport in that axis until you get to Abuja and even kogi state will still benefits from it.

The Governor Has Done So Well In Rebuilding Edo State, thank you Mr Governor for Making EdoFirst in Development...