– Cites Petition against Project by Alleged Aggrieved Persons
By Biola Lawal
Oshogbo (Flowerbudnews): The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has requested the Osun State Government to postpone the foundation-laying ceremony of the State’s proposed International Airport.
Flowerbudnews learnt that the request for the postponement of the foundation laying ceremony was contained in a letter written by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo and signed by permanent secretary, Emmanuel Merinole.
The Aviation Ministry majorly cited petitions by some persons against the relocation of the project as the main reason for requesting postponement of the foundation laying ceremony to allow for resolution of any misunderstanding over the project.
Requesting for the postponement, the Permanent Secretary wrote;
“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 read further;
“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 Permanent Secretary noted that the . ”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.
Flowerbudnews recall that Governor Ademola Adeleke, had planned the formal take-off of the project for December 13 as part of activities marking his remarkable two years in office.
Flowerbudnews is yet to get Osun State government reaction on the development following the Aviation Ministry’s request for postonement to give time for resolution of disputes surrounding the project.
Flowerbudnews also recall that a state government committee reported that the original site in Ido-Osun did not meet basic aviation requirements, prompting the move.
