Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has been exposed by his predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun’s SSG, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa.
He said; “Governor Dapo Abiodun is not saying the truth about the airport being constructed in Wasinmi, Ewekoro Local Government Area in Ogun State.”
“From day one, the current regime in Ogun State simply wanted the Abeokuta Airport project in Wasimi moribund. Very early after it took office, the Ogun State Government forcefully halted the then ongoing works at the Abeokuta Airport site in Wasimi. They told the contractors that Ogun State does not need the Airport any more and directed the contractors to remove their equipment from the Airport.”
“We were determined to do everything possible to uphold the dignity of the offices, particularly that of Governor of Ogun State, and the institution it represents.”
“However, watching the video and reading the accounts of the meeting between the Senate Committee on Aviation and officials of the Ogun State Government, and the many lies and concocted half-truths, we consider that we owe our people and Nigerians at large the duty to speak the truth without necessarily infringing our ‘Sidon look’ disposition.”
“The Abeokuta International Airport project in Wasimi, Ogun State was conceived in 2008 by the Federal Government as an Airstrip, before the Amosun administration.”
“The Federal Government, since 2009, made appropriation and consistently prosecuted this project, adding that the perimeter fence for the Airport was completed in 2010, a year before our assumption of office in 2011.”
“The Ilisan Cargo Airport, on the other hand, was conceived by the former Governor, Gbenga Daniel administration in 2006.”
“After we took office in 2011, we sought to know the progress on the project. We visited the proposed site and sought technical advice on how to proceed. The contractor engaged by the former administration refused to cooperate with us.”
“He refused to avail us the drawings and technical details. For unclear reasons, he chose litigation, after we rejected their humongous monetary claims. When we visited the site, we observed that it was in a built-up neighbourhood and there were several encroachments.”
“There was nothing on ground, not even a perimeter fence to delineate the project site – the only feasible thing was a sign post with the Ogun State logo indicating the name of the cargo airport, Ilisan.”
“The experts engaged in 2012 advised that an airport in Ogun East will be best sited within Ogun Waterside and Ijebu East Local Governments to serve the Olokola Free Trade Zone axis, and will make more sense on account of the proposed Deep Sea Port projected for the area and the activities along the Ijebu-Ode/Epe corridor.”
“Besides, the experts equally pointed out the suitability of the axis because it is a greenfield and free of encumbrances. They were very clear that the site chosen in Ilisan has totally become unsuitable for an airport – be it cargo or otherwise as at March, 2012. Faced with these practical and technical realities, our attention shifted back to the Federal Government owned Abeokuta International Airport, Wasimi which was already ongoing.”
“We observed that the monetary appropriation for the Abeokuta Airport project, though regular, were meagre. To ensure that our people get to reap this particular dividend of democracy in record time, Ogun State Government requested and was granted permission to get involved and speed up the project.”
“For the record, our administration engaged the Federal Ministry of Aviation on the need to upgrade the Airstrip to a full-fledged International Airport. The request was granted and the Airstrip status changed to an International Airport with a full bouquet Passenger, Cargo, Aircraft Maintenance, Storage and Warehouses, VIP/Executive services, Aircraft Hangers/MRO, as well as Flight Training School and Education Building, among others.”
“The project was designed to serve as a major ‘pressure reliever,’ to Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport whose facilities had reached a breaking point. It was expected to leverage off and take full advantage of Abeokuta’s proximity to Lagos, to ease and speed up the movement of passengers, goods, services and business to the State from the rest of the Country and the World.”
“It is also important to state that the Abeokuta International Airport in Wasimi has a much bigger Cargo and Agro Allied terminal, which is the sole focus of the proposed Cargo Airport, Ilisan.”
“The Abiodun government in 2019 instituted a probe, cleverly called Project Review Committee, into 110 of our legacy projects, including our intervention at the Abeokuta International Airport, Wasimi.”
“The Engr. Mokuolu -ed Committee visited, inspected and evaluated the Abeokuta International Airport project, among others. The report was submitted to Ogun State Government in April 2020.”
“Not only did the exercise put a lie to the claims that the current administration knew nothing about the project, the reports of the verification exercise had kind words about the quality and standard of projects embarked upon by our Administration. We need not say more.”
“The present government forgot or cared less that Ogun State Government does not own the the Ewekoro airport project directly.”
“It was also unimportant to them that whereas Ilisan Airport was conceptualized in 2006, with approval secured in February, 2008, there was nothing on ground in 2011, five/three calendar years after, not even the perimeter fence was erected as mentioned earlier. It is curious, ominous and totally against the grain of reason that Ogun State will reject a life changing infrastructural development from the Federal Government.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, we want an Airport in Ogun East Senatorial District. These are significant signs of real socio-economic development and was indeed captured in Ogun State Development Plan (2018-2030). Airports should be sited in axis most needed and suitable taking into consideration the safety of our people.”
“The Abeokuta International Airport project in Wasimi has come to stay. It is serviced by a 12km access dual carriage way (under construction), and, a fully established and defined6-kilometer Runway, among other components at different stages.”
“We have done our bit, and, have moved on. Let everyone who is privileged to hold office in any capacity be guided by the Oath of Office at all times. The verdict of history and posterity await us all.”