The Deputy Governor of Osun State, Kola Adewusi, has shed more light on the state government’s decision to relocate the airport project from its proposed location in Ido-Osun to Ede.
Adewusi provided this insight during a live radio current affairs program in Osogbo on Wednesday.
The Osun Deputy Governor revealed that the proposed land allotted for the project was not enough for an international airport of that magnitude.
DAILY POST recalled that residents of Ido-Osun on Tuesday protested the relocation of the airport project from their community.
Expressing their dissatisfaction with the Osun State Government’s decision to move the long-planned Ido-Osun Airport to Ede, the community described the move as unjust and discriminatory.
Making their dissatisfaction known through a statement signed by Chief Oyewale Basiru Oyeleke (Eesa of Ido-Osun), Elder T.A. Adeleye (Ido-Osu Development Union President), Alhaji Gbadebo Ajao, and Abiodun Awolola, they called on the state government to reverse its decision.
Adewusi also said that if the state government were to proceed with the project in Ido-Osun, it would cost a lot of money to compensate the members of the community who would be affected.
He said, “In this generation, we should not look at issues with sentiments. The Airforce base is there and will still be in use, but it will not suit the present situation of establishing an airport. There is a need to factor that into the whole issue. Failure to do that is what is affecting Nigeria today.”
“I am sorry, but if our past leaders had thought outside the box, maybe they would have made provisions for the challenges confronting us today. We should be able to have foresight. If we continue with the project in Ido-Osun and, in the near future, there is a need for an international airport and the facilities there will not be able to accommodate flight traffic, what do we do?”
He also revealed that investigations dismissed the claim that a ditch was situated in the allotted land and that the land could not contain the stretch of the runway.
“There is a need to project into the future. From the information available to me, there is a ditch that will cost a lot of money if the project should continue there. The distance of the runway, which is 3.5km, cannot be obtained from the existing location, so they have to look for enough land.”
“It is not because of any reason whatsoever. Are Ido-Osun people not part of Osun State? We don’t have any problem with anybody there. Their late king was a friend of the government. There is no need to attach sentiment to it.”
“If critics of the airport relocation can get enough land in Osogbo, why not? Many people don’t know the governor. He doesn’t attach sentiment to anything.”
Osun Dep Gov explains why govt relocated Ido-Osun airport project to Ede