The recent decision of the government of Osun State, led by Ademole Adeleke, to relocate the state’s airport project to Akoda, Ede was one that sparked nothing but outrage and controversy.

The government fingered technical challenges, particularly insufficient runway capacity, as the major reason for the relocation.

As a matter of fact, residents and natives of Ido-Osun in the Egbedore local government area had on Tuesday expressed their discontent through protests against the Governor’s choice to move the airport from their community to Ede.

This move looks suspicious because Ede is the hometown of Adeleke.

However, in defence of the relocation, Lai Oriowo, an airport project technical committee member, stated that the decision was driven by considerations of viability and technical factors rather than political motivations.

Explanation

His words: “The total area of the site was approximately estimated to be 3,871,806.34 square metres (387.18 Ha).

The existing runway, which is 1.67km, did not meet the required standard.”

“The minimum runway for a standard airport is 4.8km.
The runway length required for class 4E Aircraft is 3600 x 45m, and an additional minimum distance of 750 metres on both approaches for the Runway End Safety Area/Clearway for the instrument runway is 5,100m against the available dimension of 3,250m.

“Citing the runway at this site (Old Aerodrome Site), therefore, will require relocation of Adeleke Secondary School and displacement of some settlements at the other end of the site.

The Runway

“The existing culvert of 65 metres transversely located at different sections of the running route and open/fabricated drainage already constructed are not ideal for an Airport.
The required length of culvert across the runway should be 150m against 65m to cover both runway width and its strip.

“The uncompleted terminal building, control tower building, and fire and rescue buildings are wrongly located with reference to the runway; Access to the Airport is limited to only Osogbo – Ede Road.”

He, however, revealed that the current airport located in Ido-Osun, which the Air Force presently manages, will function both as a training facility and as a secondary airport, following the existing Memorandum of Understanding between the State Government and the Air Force.

In spite of the state government’s explanation, Adewale Adebayo, the Chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in the state, characterized the Governor’s choice to move the airport to his hometown as undemocratic.

Also Read: Dangote Refinery Vs Port Harcourt Refinery: How Competition Will Benefit Nigerians

He said: “This is pure nepotism and anti-democratic. He is governing the state as if he is the governor of Ede and not Osun State.
Most of the initiatives of his government are concentrated in Ede as if other communities did not vote for him.”

“The airport, which was initially planned for Ido-Osun, has been a long-standing project aimed at improving transportation infrastructure, attracting investment, and fostering economic growth in Osun State.”