News: FG To Boost Rural Economy Through Aviation Sector – Oduah

The Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah, has assured that the Federal Government will enhance the transformation of the nation's rural economy through the aviation sector.

Oduah made this known at the foundation laying of the Cargo terminal of the Makurdi Airport on Tuesday.

She said the sector was pivotal to the Agricultural Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The minister said the government conceptualised the programme to power the commercialisation of the airports.

She added that it was a deliberate policy of boosting rural economies of the states where the cargo terminals were situated.

According to her, the terminal will create wealth for the states and provide jobs for the unemployed.

She said it would also boost the food programme of government, stressing that under it, food items would be delivered to different parts of the world fresh.

The minister also said the cargo terminals would enhance the food value chain as more processing, packaging and delivery of items would be carried out by companies.

Oduah said that the terminal would be completed within six months, assuring that all the items required for the job were already at the site.

Gov. Gabriel Suswam, commended the minister for the initiative of remodeling the airports, and said the cargo terminal would boost the economy of the state.

Suswam said Benue stood to benefit immensely from the cargo terminal, pointing out that farmers would have value for their crops.

He advised the minister to disregard those criticising her, saying they were mere distractions.

The governor said the airport transformation would boost the image of the country and position it among top countries of the world.