Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has called on Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to halt the foundation-laying ceremony for the state’s international airport amid ongoing controversy over its relocation to a new site.
In 2023, Governor Adeleke established an inter-ministerial committee to revive the previously abandoned airport. He justified relocating the MKO Abiola International Airport from Ido-Osun to his hometown, Ede, citing the old site as unsuitable for a full-scale airport.
However, this decision has sparked discontent among the residents of Ido-Osun, who have vowed to oppose the move. On November 26, the community organised a protest, denouncing the relocation as “nepotistic and undemocratic.”
In a letter to Keyamo dated November 29, the Ido-Osun Youth Forum expressed their disapproval of relocating the airport to Ede, highlighting that it would be less than 10 minutes from the current Ido-Osun location. The group criticised the state government for pursuing this agenda “without reasonable cause.”
The petition stated, “These actions are a misuse of public funds and a waste of taxpayers’ money, giving consideration to the fact that Ido-Osun already has the largest flat runway in Nigeria, which has been capable of handling various aviation needs.”
The petition argued that Governor Ademola Adeleke’s plan to move the airport to his hometown, Ede, is driven by political motives and is a waste of economic resources. It stated that the Ido-Osun airport, already equipped with substantial infrastructure and a strategic location, offers significantly greater potential for the state’s development.
Instead of spending on an unnecessary new airport in Ede, which would duplicate resources and create inefficiencies, the petition urged focusing on revitalising and completing the Ido-Osun Airport as initially intended.
According to The Cable, the federal government, in a letter dated December 6 and signed by Emmanuel Meribole, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, asked Governor Adeleke to postpone the groundbreaking event until the dispute is resolved. The letter, titled “Re: Invitation as a Special Guest of Honour at the Foundation Laying Ceremony of the Osun State International Airport,” noted that the airport is a federal project included in the 2024 budget.
The letter stated, “I wish to refer to your letter Ref. No. 5.12/19/1/Vol.VI/188 dated 21st November 2024 on the above subject and respectfully request Your Excellency to suspend the foundation-laying ceremony of the Osun State International Airport until the issues regarding the petitions over the existing airstrip/airport are resolved and to harmonise the state’s efforts with that of the federal government.”
It continued, “Your Excellency may wish to note that the airstrip is a federal project captured in the Ministry’s 2024 Appropriation. We also note that you have made arrangements to expand the airstrip to an international airport.
“In addition, there is a petition indicating there is an existing airstrip where funds have been expended and the need to use the site for the present airstrip instead of a new site.”
The federal government emphasised the importance of ensuring the judicious use of funds to prevent resource wastage. As the Airstrip Project is a collaboration between state and federal governments, synchronisation is crucial before the project proceeds.
The letter concluded, “Accordingly, Your Excellency is respectfully requested to reschedule the foundation-laying ceremony of the Osun State Airport pending the resolution of the petitions and selection of a mutually agreed date.”
In 2012, the administration led by Rauf Aregbesola attempted to revive the airport, but those efforts ultimately failed, leaving the project abandoned once again.
Frances Ibiefo
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