For and against Gov Adeleke’s relocation of Ido-Osun Airport to Ede

The Ido-Osun airport project became contentious recently, following Governor Ademola Adeleke’s decision to relocate the airport from its previously proposed location in Ido-Osun to Ede, sparking protests and opposition. The move, which the government insists is based on technical considerations would see the project shift to the governor’s hometown. It has been criticized as politically motivated and a waste of public funds. Given the billions of naira already invested in the project, residents and stakeholders are outraged at the decision to relocate the airport, writes Deborah Oladejo in Osogbo…

The origin of Ido-Osun Airport, also known as MKO Abiola International Airport, dates back to World War II when the site was used as an airstrip by the West African Frontiers Force. They discovered that Ido-Osun had the highest flat top plateau in British West Africa, making it the most suitable ground for their needs. The British Empire, led by Governor-General Bernard Bourdillon, acquired the land and built the airstrip. Initially envisioned as a hub for aircraft maintenance and repair. It was gathered that the site of the airport was acquired in 1933 and compensation was paid to the then owners of the land.

Over time, however, the purpose of the airport shifted towards commercial use. The plan was to build a five-star hotel, recreational facilities, and entertainment centers around the airport, the first of its kind in West Africa.

Former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, attempted to build a modern airport in Ido-Osun, utilizing the existing airstrip’s land. He acquired additional land for the project, however, the project could not be completed due to the expiration of his administration.

During Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration, the contract was first awarded to Aeronautics Engineering at the cost of N4.5 billion in October 2012. The NGN4.5 billion (USD22.6 million) airport project includes a 3000m runway, a dedicated passenger terminal and air traffic control tower. Sometime later, it was reviewed to N11 billion to accommodate more features. Of this amount, the state government noted that it had spent N3.6 billion. Thereafter, the project was abandoned mid-way, prompting the need for a re-award.

In October 2017, the State Government revived its intention to continue the project but due to financial constraints, the Aregbesola administration opted for a concession arrangement.

Later, a 30 year concession agreement was signed with AWOL International Limited to complete the NGN69 million (USD191,401) project. However, the company was to work with two partner companies named Biray Group, for the technical aspect, and Exim Bank of Turkey, where funds for the project was to be obtained.

In the new agreement, AWOL was to build an airport with cargo and hanger as the first of its kind in West Africa and third in Africa after South Africa and Egypt. The runway was also expanded from the initial 3.0 kilometres to 3.5 kilometres. The airport was expected to have an ultramodern commercial complex, terminal buildings, control tower, standard civil infrastructure, maintenance building and power house, staff training centre, fire-fighting station, security infrastructure, apron and taxiways and dual-carriage-road leading from Osogbo, the state capital, to the airport, among several other catchy attractions.

The site of the airport project at Ido-Osun in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State., is an expanse of land spanning about 839 hectares.

But the hope of the community where the airport was to be situated was dashed when Aregbesola announced the concession had failed.

Gboyega Oyetola’s administration sought federal support for the Osun airport project. In December 2020, Governor Oyetola visited the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, to appeal for federal support for the project. Oyetola later handed over the official documents of the runway and airport corridor to the Nigeria Air force.

He said the State Government had partnered with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to build an aviation city, which would provide civil and military air flight operations in the State.

However, the current administration under Governor Ademola Adeleke has made the controversial decision to relocate the project from Ido-Osun to Ede, the governor’s hometown.

A technical committee constituted by the Governor, comprising professionals in the aviation sector, identified several technical issues that make the initial site unsuitable for a full-fledged airport.

According to Committee, “the existing runway which is 1.67km did not meet the required standard. The minimum runway for a standard airport is 4.8km. The runway length required for class 4E Aircraft is 3600 x 45m and additional minimum distance of 750 meters on both approaches for Runway End Safety Area/Clearway for instrument runway is 5,100m against the available dimension of 3,250m.

“Citing the runway at this site (Old Aerodrome Site) therefore, will require relocation of Adeleke Secondary School and also the displacement of some settlements at the other end of the site. The existing culvert of 65 metres transversely located at different sections of the running route and open/fabricated drainage already constructed are not ideal for an Airport. The required length of culvert across the runway should be 150m against 65m to cover both runway width and its strip.

“The uncompleted Terminal Building, Control Tower Building and Fire and Rescue buildings, are wrongly located with reference to the runway; access to the Airport is limited to only Osogbo – Ede Road;

“The layout shows that less than 120m is the available land at 04-approach threshold to Adeleke Secondary School fence for the Runway End Safety Area (RESA) and at the other approach 22, the available land is 150 from threshold 22 to Osogbo, and Ede Bye-pass.”

Given these technical constraints, the committee recommended that the old site be repurposed as a training school for the Airforce, based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the state and the Airforce.

Instead, a new site at Akoda has been proposed for the airport project. The state government has conducted a perimeter survey, revealing a total site area of 1,922.111 hectares, with a proposed 5.6km runway. The government has also paid for wind rose and daily wind analysis, as well as airport design fees.

The Osun state government has emphasized its commitment to complying with aviation standards and ensuring the successful completion of the airport project.

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM), an opposition party in the State, has condemned the relocation, arguing that it “reeks of political favoritism” and disregards the resources and efforts already committed to the Ido-Osun site.

Protesters from the Ido-Osun community have also taken to the streets to voice their displeasure, urging President Bola Tinubu to intervene and prevent the move.

This move by Adeleke’s Government has been met with significant opposition, with critics claiming that it is politically motivated and disregards the substantial resources and efforts already committed to the Ido-Osun site.

In defense of the relocation, the state government has cited technical and safety concerns, including encroachment on the proposed site and inadequate infrastructure. Despite these explanations, many remain skeptical, arguing that the decision appears to be driven by favoritism and questioning why alternative solutions, such as demolishing illegal structures, were not explored.