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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has written Governor Ademola Adeleke to suspend the foundation laying of the proposed airport at his hometown, Ede, Osun State.
A letter dated December 6, and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, yesterday, noted that there was a petition that an airstrip is in existence where funds have been expended in the state.
Governor Adeleke had invited Ministers of Works and Aviation, David Umahi and Festus Keyamo, to lay the foundation of the airport, relocated from Ido-Osun to Ede, on December 16.
The letter from the Federal Government to Adeleke read: “I wish to refer to your letter Ref. No. 5.12/19/1/Vol.VI/188 dated November 21, 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 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 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,” the letter added.
