The federal government has withheld its approval for the controversial Osun State International Airport in Ede.
The government’s action was communicated in a letter signed by the permanent secretary in the ministry of aviation and aerospace development, Dr Emmanuel Meribole and addressed to the governor of Osun State, Mr Ademola Adeleke.
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.
“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 the state and federal governments, it is important we are in sync 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.”
Recall that the governor had planned to relocate the airport from Ido-Osun to Ede, which incidentally is Adeleke’s hometown.
A state government committee reported that the original site in Ido-Osun did not meet basic aviation requirements, thereby prompting the move for a relocation.
The planned relocation reignited a longstanding rivalry between the Ido community and Ede.
Meanwhile, Adeleke had slated December 13, 2024 for the groundbreaking ceremony for the project for but the federal government asked for a stay of action until all the issues regarding the site of the project are resolved.
