Asaba Airport gets agro-cargo terminal nod

The Federal Government has approved an agro-cargo section for the budding Asaba International Airport.
The cargo terminal, disclosed Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, would cater for the export of agricultural produce and business.
The governor, who dropped this hint on Tuesday in Asaba, the state capital, said that the agro-cargo section would enable the export of agro-produce from South-South and South-East regions of Nigeria to other countries of the world.
According to him, the go ahead was granted by President Goodluck Jonathan in his determination to make give the bite to his transformational agenda and Nigeria Beyond Oil policy.
Uduaghan said: “The Federal Government will also develop a green area behind the cargo terminal where it will grow vegetables and other all year round crops for export from the airport.
“This will encourage local farmers to increase their yields and export to viable markets abroad as well as improve the economy of the nation and the state in particular.”
Dr. Uduaghan opined that farmers in the state would benefit tremendously from the development of the agro-cargo section as they would utilise the airport to export their produce and also sell their produce at competitive rates.
He said the state was working closely with the Ministry of Aviation to get full operational licence for the Asaba International Airport, stating: “A technical team has been put together by the Ministry to collaborate with the state government to rectify gray areas and ensure the granting of the full operational licence.”
On road construction, the governor said that government would commence the construction of all ongoing road projects immediately after the rainy season and promised that they would be completed on schedule.
He also explained that the Asaba-Ughelli Road dualisation project was on course and the state government would ensure the completion of the road project.
He noted that the topography of Asaba has placed a complex challenge on road and drainage construction in the city, stressing that government was redesigning the Asaba Master Drain Project Phase II to accommodate the volume and flow pattern of the flood water.
Dr. Uduaghan assured the people that most of the road projects in Asaba metropolis would be completed during the dry season while Junction Improvement Work and Urban Renewal Work would be replicated at other junctions in Warri and environs.
The governor informed Deltans that the contract for the dualisation of Okpanam Road has been awarded while the Enwhe Bridge would soon be reconstructed.
Dr. Uduaghan reminded Deltans that cleanliness is next to Godliness.
He advised that Deltans should always keep their environment clean at all time and should not wait to be forced to keep their environment clean.
The Governor asked Deltans, especially Asaba residents, to be patient as plans were in top gear to improve the power situation in the state capital.
He informed them that work was going on at the new 300KVA sub-station, which would be fed from Okpai and Ivrogbo power plants.