Kogi Airport project a misplaced priority, shameful waste of resources – Ex-IPAC chairman

2026-02-11 - 14:48

By John Alechenu, Abuja Former Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Chief Peter Ameh, has condemned Kogi State’s proposed international airport in Zariagi, describing the project as a “grotesquely misguided” and “irresponsible” use of public funds. Ameh was responding to claims by Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, that the airport is a priority economic investment. “I vehemently reject the outrageous and delusional claim that ‘no state in Nigeria needs an airport more than Kogi,’” Ameh said. “The proposed airport is a blatant misallocation of the state’s limited resources, while most citizens remain impoverished farmers and rural dwellers struggling with deplorable roads, poor healthcare, dilapidated schools, chronic power outages, and limited market access for their produce.” He noted that Kogi is surrounded by nine neighboring states and the Federal Capital Territory, almost all with operational airports. “With targeted investment in road networks and connectivity, Kogi could emerge as a transit and logistics hub linking Abuja to the wider region—without duplicating redundant aviation facilities,” he added. Ameh criticized the project’s estimated ₦50 billion cost, warning that funds could be better spent on people-centered infrastructure. “The state should commit significant resources—potentially 50 percent of capital expenditure—to high-capacity rail services connecting Kogi to the FCT. This would ease daily commuting, facilitate the transport of agricultural produce, attract businesses, create jobs, and drive economic growth,” he said. Citing Ebonyi State’s Chuba Okadigbo International Airport as a cautionary tale, Ameh highlighted that the project had squandered over ₦55 billion with minimal returns, suffering delays, shutdowns, and criticism as a symbol of financial mismanagement. He concluded, “The Kogi State Government must urgently scrap this scandalous airport boondoggle and redirect every kobo to infrastructure that benefits ordinary citizens—decent roads, efficient rail, agricultural empowerment, quality education, and accessible healthcare. Kogi deserves real, equitable progress, not extravagant, tone-deaf waste of public funds.”