The Federal Government has withdrawn from the foundation-laying ceremony for the proposed Osun State International Airport in Ede, following a request from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
Governor Ademola Adeleke had scheduled the event for December 13, but the ministry has requested a postponement until the disputes related to the project are addressed.
The decision to relocate the airport from Ido-Osun to Ede, the governor’s hometown, has sparked controversy and tension.
A state government committee indicated that the original site in Ido-Osun failed to meet essential aviation standards, leading to the relocation.
In October 2017, the state government renewed its commitment to the airport project, but due to significant financial constraints, the Aregbesola administration chose to pursue a concession model.
By the time Aregbesola left office, the budget for the airport had increased to N69 billion, with approximately N12 billion of funds contributed by Osun indigenes already invested in the construction site.
This decision has reignited a longstanding rivalry between the Ido community and Ede, leading to protests from Ido residents earlier this week against the relocation.
The ministry’s request to delay the event came in a letter dated December 6, signed by the permanent secretary, Emmanuel Merinole, which was made available on Tuesday.
The letter reads, “I wish to refer to your letter Ref. No. S.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 are resolved and to harmonise the state’s efforts with that of the Federal Government.”
The letter also points out that the airstrip is a federal project included in the ministry’s 2024 budget, and the state’s plan to expand it to an international airport must align with federal objectives.
The statement added, “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 letter emphasised the need for efficient use of public funds, stating, “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 the state and federal governments, it is important we are in sync before the project takes off.”
The ministry urged the governor to postpone the ceremony.
Merinole stated, “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.”
