Aerotropolis To Create 10 Million Jobs – Oduah

Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, has declared that the Nigeria Aerotropolis project would create at least 10 million  jobs for Nigerians, especially the youth in the first two years of its take-off.

    The minister was speaking during the Public Hearing organised by the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating the FCT Land Swap. The Ministry of Aviation is participating in the land swap for the Abuja Aerotropolis project.

The minister said the projects, to be sited in Abuja and other major international airports across the country, has a value chain with the potential to transform the Nigerian economy and the living standards of the rural farmers through Perishable Cargo exports. Oduah said an estimated N100 billion would be generated annually from the initiative.

Explaining that the initiative is private-sector driven with 20 per cent equity holding by government through the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the minister added that value chains would span the agriculture, health, manufacturing, culture and tourism sectors of the economy.

Already, she said investors from Nigeria, the USA, China, Turkey and other European countries have embraced the initiative, just as she disclosed that the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has endorsed the Abuja Aerotropolis for which documentation is being finalised for the land acquisition. The Minister further disclosed that that the FCT has already incorporated the Aerotropolis project into its development Master Plan.

The Minister dispelled fears about issues concerning non-payment of compensation, saying although the land would be acquired at the going commercial value, all due compensation would be paid promptly. She however stressed that the greatest compensation Nigerians will get from the initiative will come in the form of millions of jobs that will be created for the teeming unemployed youth population.


Source: Leadership