The Benue State Government and a private firm, Aerotropolis, have concluded arrangements to sign a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, for the construction of a civil airport in Makurdi.

State Governor, Samuel Ortom, who made the disclosure at a meeting with a delegation from the company in his office, said the proposed airport would boost economic activities in the state.

He expressed the commitment of his administration to the partnership with private organisations in the development of the state, thanking the company for finding Benue as a worthy business ally.

Governor Ortom said when completed, the airport would add immense value to the economy of the state as it will open new frontiers of trade particularly exportation for the people of Benue and neighbouring states.

‘‘Our administration is committed to the airport project and it is our belief that at the end of the day, the economy of our state will be better for it. We hope to sign the MOU soon so that we can move to the next level of the project’’, he stated.

Governor Ortom added that the Makurdi Airport would also help in improving the internally generated revenue of the state.

Earlier, the Coordinator and Head of Public Private Partnership, Aerotropolis Development Company, Dr Daniel Tarka, said the proposed cargo airport and the airport city could be developed around kilometer 28 along  Makurdi-Lafia road.

He added that the airport would consist of infrastructure such as runway, terminal building, air traffic control tower and Jet A1-Tank Farm, while facilities such as exhibition centres, hotels, golf course and residential districts would form a major part of the complex.

Dr Tarka also said that the company would be responsible for the compensation of those affected by the location of the airport and its entire construction.