Labaran Maku: Ex-minister advises Gov. Al-Makura on proposed N17bn airport project

He said this amount could be used to provide other infrastructure for the people to provide them job opportunities, fight poverty and boost their living standard.

Mr Labaran Maku, a former Minister of Information, on Sunday advised Gov. Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State against building N17 billion airport in Lafia.

He said that instead of building the airport, the governor should provide other infrastructure that would spread across the state.

Maku, a 2015 gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state, gave the advice while speaking with newsmen in his country home in Wakama, Akun Development Area.

He said this amount could be used to provide other infrastructure for the people to provide them job opportunities, fight poverty and boost their living standard.

“What Lafia needs is an airstrip, where aircraft can land in case some very important personalities may visit the state for one reason or the other.

"For Al-Makura to build N17 billion airport in Kwandare, his village, is not the priority of the people of the state for now.

“The money can be used to establish factories, industries, construct rural roads, provide potable water and electricity to the rural populace.

“There is a high rate of poverty among the people, especially at the grassroots, a problem that has been compounded by lack of access roads, electricity and drinkable water,” he said

He called on the Federal Government and the aviation authority to reverse the construction of an airport in Lafia at this time of economic hardship.

The former information minister also urged Nigerians to use the Yuletide to continue to pray for peaceful coexistence in the nation.

According to him, no nation or country can achieve meaningful progress without peace.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Al-Makura, on Dec 11, inaugurated N17 cargo airport project in Kwandare, Lafia.