Benue State Airport: Does It Exist?

Benue State, located in the North Central part of Nigeria, is known as the Food basket of the nation due to its agricultural prowess. The state is inhabited predominantly by the Tiv, Idoma, Igede and Etulo peoples, who engage in farming as their major occupation. In addition to its rich cultural heritage, Benue State also boasts a range of natural attractions, including hills, rivers, and waterfalls. With its diverse offerings, one may wonder if Benue State has an airport for easy accessibility.

Makurdi Airport is the airport in Benue State

In addition to Makurdi Airport, there are plans for a new cargo airport in the state. Known as the New Makurdi/Benue Cargo Airport, it will be located near Kura village, approximately 12km from Makurdi. Construction on this new airport project began in April 2023. The Benue State Government has partnered with a consortium of private investors, including the Aerotropolis Development Company and the Cargopolis Development Consortium (CDC), to fund and develop this project. The airport is expected to cost around NGN38 billion (USD119.7-120.6 million) and will include an aviation school with a capacity for 50 students.

Benue State is located in the North Central part of Nigeria and is known as the "Food basket of the nation" due to its significant agricultural output. The state is inhabited predominantly by the Tiv, Idoma, Igede and Etulo peoples, who express their rich cultural heritage through colourful clothing, exotic masquerades, music, and dances. The state also boasts natural attractions such as hills, waterfalls, and river beaches, as well as historical monuments like the Royal Niger Company Trading Stores in Makurdi.

It is a domestic airport

Benue State in North Central Nigeria is served by Makurdi Airport, a domestic airport located in the state's capital city of Makurdi. The airport is designated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as MDI and by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as DNMK. It features a runway with an additional 266-metre paved overrun on each end and a non-directional beacon located 1.2 nautical miles northwest of the runway.

Makurdi Airport is an important transportation hub for the region, providing air connectivity within Nigeria. Flights are available to various destinations across the country, connecting Benue State with other states and facilitating travel for locals and visitors alike. The airport is easily accessible from Makurdi, offering convenience for those travelling to or from the state.

In addition to the airport, Benue State also boasts a well-developed road network, with bus terminals located across the state. Bus services, such as GIGM, God's Will Transport Services, Pleasure Travels, and Yaman Transport Company, provide affordable and accessible transportation options for short-distance journeys within the state. The Benue River, a major tributary of the Niger River, also serves as a navigable transportation route, further enhancing the state's connectivity.

The state government has also embarked on projects to enhance air connectivity. In 2016, the Benue State Government and a private investor, Aerotropolis Development Company, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of a new cargo airport in Makurdi, known as the Benue Cargo Airport. The project, valued at NGN37.9 billion (USD190.5 million), includes a 25-year concession period. The state government committed to providing 1000 hectares of land and an equity contribution of NGN5.2 billion (USD26 million). Construction was expected to begin in April 2023, with a completion date set for 2019.

The new cargo airport will bring several benefits to Benue State. It will include an aviation school with a capacity to enrol 50 students at a time, fostering aviation education and training opportunities. Additionally, the development is expected to contribute to housing, roads, and other infrastructure projects in the area. With these initiatives, Benue State is poised to enhance its air connectivity, supporting its thriving agricultural industry and promoting economic growth.

Construction of a new cargo airport in Makurdi began in 2016

Benue State in North Central Nigeria is served by Makurdi Airport, a joint civil/military airport that began operations in 1983. However, in 2016, construction commenced on a new cargo airport in the state.

In January 2016, the Benue State Government and private investor Aerotropolis Development Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a new cargo airport in Makurdi, also known as the Benue Cargo Airport. The MoU included a 25-year concession period. Under the public-private partnership agreement, the Benue State Government committed to providing 1000 hectares of land for the cargo development project, as well as an equity contribution of NGN5.2 billion (USD26 million). The total development cost was estimated at NGN37.9 billion (USD190.5 million).

In October 2016, the Cargopolis Development Consortium (CDC) announced that it expected to complete the construction of the cargo airport in 18 months, with a projected total cost of NGN38 billion (USD120 million). CDC holds an 85% equity stake in the project, while the Benue Government holds the remaining 15%.

In November 2016, Nigeria's Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom confirmed that construction on the new Benue Cargo Airport had commenced. He also stated that the State Government would not provide funding for the project, and instead, a consortium would contribute the required funds. Governor Ortom highlighted that the project included several components beyond the airport itself, such as housing, roads, and a training facility. Additionally, an aviation school would be established at the airport, with a capacity for 50 enrolled students. The project's total cost was estimated at NGN36 billion (USD114.2 million) by Pureza Investment International, the project facilitator.

The new airport will be located near Kura village

Benue State in North Central Nigeria currently has one airport, Makurdi Airport (IATA: MDI, ICAO: DNMK), which serves the state's capital city, Makurdi. However, a new cargo airport is set to be constructed near Kura village, 12km from Makurdi.

The airport is a public-private partnership, with the Benue State Government providing 1000 hectares of land and an equity contribution of NGN5.2 billion (USD26 million or USD26.1 million, according to another source). The remaining funding will be provided by a consortium, according to Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom. The consortium, known as the Cargopolis Development Consortium (CDC), will hold an 85% equity stake in the project, while the Benue Government will hold 15%.

The new airport will include an aviation school with a capacity for 50 enrolled students. This development is expected to contribute to several projects, including housing, roads, and a training facility. The airport will also help to promote economic growth and development in the state, particularly in the agricultural sector, for which Benue State is known.

Benue State is nicknamed the "'Food basket of the nation', with farming as the major occupation. The state exports food to other parts of Nigeria, and popular crops include oranges, mangoes, sweet potatoes, cassava, soybeans, guinea corn, flax, yams, sesame, rice, and groundnuts. The new cargo airport will facilitate the efficient transportation of these agricultural goods to markets and consumers across the country.

The Benue Government will provide 1000 ha of land for the new airport

Benue State in North Central Nigeria is set to get a new airport, with the Benue Government providing 1000 ha of land for the project. The new airport, known as the New Makurdi/Benue Cargo Airport, will be constructed near Kura village, approximately 12km from Makurdi, the state's capital. The airport will serve Makurdi, which already has an existing airport.

The Benue State Government and Aerotropolis Development Company Ltd signed an MoU for the construction of the new cargo airport, with the Benue State Government committing to providing the land as well as an equity contribution of NGN5.2 billion (USD26 million). The total cost of the project is estimated to be NGN37.9 billion (USD190.5 million). Construction on the airport was expected to commence in April 2023, with a completion date set for 2019.

The new airport will be developed through a public-private partnership, with the Benue Government holding a 15% stake in the project. The remaining 85% stake is held by the Cargopolis Development Consortium (CDC), which is expected to invest NGN38 billion (USD119.7 million) in the project. The project will also see the development of an aviation school with a capacity of 50 students.

The new airport will boost the state's economy and infrastructure, particularly with its focus on cargo operations. Benue State is known as the "Food basket of the nation", with farming as the major occupation. The new cargo airport will facilitate the export of agricultural produce to other states in Nigeria and potentially internationally.

The Benue River, which traverses the state, is also a major transportation route, and the new airport will further enhance the state's connectivity and accessibility. The state is already home to several natural attractions, including hills, waterfalls, and natural springs, as well as a rich cultural heritage expressed through colourful cloths, exotic masquerades, and traditional dances. The new airport will not only benefit the movement of goods but also potentially increase tourism to the state.

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