Adeleke Inaugurates Committee On Osun Airport

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has set up an inter-ministerial committee that will look into the construction of an international airport in the state.

A statement by the Governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Rasheed Olawale, a copy made available to Osun Defender said the Governor while inaugurating the committee in his office on Tuesday, noted that Osun is the only state in South-West Nigeria without an airport.

OSUN DEFENDER recalls a former governor of the state, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, started the Airport project situated at Ido Osun during his administration. It was continued by his successor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

However, Aregbesola’s successor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy abandoned it instead, gifting the project which had cost the state at least N6bn to the Nigerian Air Force which also abandoned the project.

He said that the committee will initiate, develop and actualise the plan towards executing the airport project.

He said, “The project as we all know has been overshadowed by a lot of controversy. I am determined to solve the riddle and give Osun a befitting airport. It is regrettable that of all the South West states, only Osun has no airport. If we are to jumpstart our economy, we need to address the issue of connectivity. Osun as a solid mineral state with two free trade zones and multiple tertiary institutions deserves a flight link.

“My team postulated and rightly so that having an airport will accelerate the economic revival of Osun state. I however seek an in-depth technical plan to study the entire project, develop and ensure the implementation and actualisation of the plan.

“I assemble this inter-ministerial committee members to cover all requisite areas. You are to review the past, design for the present and implement for the future. You have the mandate of the Osun state government to invite all relevant stakeholders for submissions. Your mandate is not only to identify the problem areas; you are to proffer actionable solutions.

“I also use this opportunity to call on partners and others involved in this project to cooperate with this standing committee. Our administration has the political will to push through this project. I need committee members to be innovative and come up with ideas for a sustainable multiple-purpose airport.”

The chairman of the committee, Dr. Bashir Salami, commended the governor for setting up the committee and assured that the members wouldd deliver in good time.

• Kazeem Badmus