FG suspends foundation laying of relocated Osun airport following petitions
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has asked the Osun State Government to suspend the foundation laying ceremony of the Osun State International Airport.
In a letter dated December 6, 2024, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, asked Governor Ademola Adeleke to postpone the ceremony until the issues regarding petitions over the existing airstrip/airport are resolved.
WESTERN POST reports that the Ido-Osun airport project became contentious recently following Adeleke’s decision to relocate the airport from its previously proposed location in Ido-Osun to Akoda Ede at a press conference heralding the 2nd anniversary of the Governor.
The committee for the anniversary had announced that the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development will lay the foundation of the new site for the airport.
However, the Ministry noted that the airstrip is a Federal project captured in the Ministry’s 2024 Appropriation.
The letter reads: “I wish to refer to your letter Ref. No. 5.12/19/1/Vol.VI/188 dated 21 November, 2024 on the above subject and to 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 is resolved and to harmonize the state’s efforts with that of the Federal Government.
“Your Excellency may wish to note that the airstrip is a federal project that is 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 is mandated to ensure judicious use of funds in order to curtail wastage of resources. As this Airstrip Project is a collaboration between State and Federal Government, it is important we are in synch before the project takes off.
“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.”
