Request from Aviation Minister Leads to Suspension
The Federal Government has halted the planned foundation-laying ceremony for the proposed Osun State International Airport, initially scheduled for December 13 in Ede, following a request from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. The ministry cited unresolved disputes surrounding the project as the primary reason for the postponement.
The decision has added a layer of complexity to the project, which has been mired in controversy due to the proposed relocation of the airport from its original site in Ido-Osun to Ede, the hometown of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Controversial Relocation Sparks Tensions
The relocation of the airport project has sparked tension between the Ido and Ede communities. A state government committee concluded that the original site in Ido-Osun did not meet basic aviation requirements, prompting the decision to move the project. However, this has reignited a longstanding rivalry between the two communities, with residents of Ido staging protests earlier this week.
The controversy surrounding the site is compounded by the historical context of the project. The airport was first conceptualized in 2017 under former Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration. Budgetary allocations for the project had ballooned to ₦69 billion, with ₦12 billion reportedly spent on the Ido-Osun site before the project stalled due to financial constraints. The Aregbesola administration later opted for a concession model to continue the project.
Federal Government Intervention
The Federal Ministry of Aviation stepped in to request a suspension of the foundation-laying ceremony until all disputes are resolved. A letter from the ministry, dated December 6, 2024, and signed by Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Merinole, emphasized the need for alignment between the state and federal governments.
The letter highlighted that the airstrip in question is a federal project included in the ministry’s 2024 budget. It stated, “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 ministry also stressed the importance of efficient resource allocation, stating, “The Federal Government is mandated to ensure judicious use of funds 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.”
Petitions and Approval Conflicts
The controversy also involves a series of petitions challenging the state government’s actions. According to Tunde Moshood, media aide to the Minister of Aviation, the previous state administration received approval to site the airport at a different location, and the existence of dual approvals has complicated the project.
Moshood explained, “The airport has been cancelled for now because the previous administration got approval to site the airport in a particular location, and there can’t be two approvals at the same time. Meanwhile, we can’t deny the fact that we were carried along, but sometimes it may be an oversight. Now there are petitions to that effect.”
Calls for Postponement
The aviation ministry has urged Governor Adeleke to delay the ceremony until all disputes are resolved. Merinole noted that the ceremony should be rescheduled to a mutually agreed date after thorough review and resolution of the issues.
In addition to the logistical and financial concerns, the Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring proper alignment between state and federal objectives in infrastructure projects.
State Government Response and Community Reactions
Efforts to reach Olawale Rasheed, the Chief Press Secretary to the Osun State Government, for a response were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, residents of Ido and Ede remain divided over the project. Ido residents have expressed frustration over what they see as the marginalization of their community, while Ede residents are optimistic about the economic opportunities the airport could bring.
The Future of the Project
The suspension of the foundation-laying ceremony casts uncertainty on the future of the Osun State International Airport. As federal and state governments work to resolve disputes, community leaders and stakeholders are calling for transparency and inclusivity in decision-making. For now, the project remains in limbo, with both financial and political stakes hanging in the balance.
