The proposed Osun International Airport project has become one of the most controversial infrastructure projects in the state, with questions surrounding its rising cost, relocation from the original site and the choice of contractor.
The airport project was initially planned to be built in Ido-Osun but was later moved to Akoda, Ede, the hometown of Governor Ademola Adeleke, while the contract value has reportedly increased from about N99.56 billion to over N130 billion.
Relocation Controversy
The airport project was originally conceived at Ido-Osun, where successive administrations had worked on developing an aviation facility. However, the Adeleke administration discontinued the Ido-Osun plan and moved the project to Akoda in Ede.
The relocation immediately generated political controversy because Ede is the governor’s hometown, leading critics to accuse the government of favouring its traditional political base. Governor Adeleke’s administration however rejected the allegation, saying the decision was driven by technical concerns rather than political considerations.
Members of the Osun Airport Technical Committee explained that the original Ido-Osun site could not accommodate the type of airport envisioned by the government. According to the committee, the available land area and runway limitations at Ido-Osun posed challenges for developing a full-scale international airport.
From N99.5b to N130b Contract
Official procurement records from Osun State show that the construction contract for the airport runway, apron, taxiway, terminal building, control tower and fire station was awarded at N99.56 billion. The contract was awarded to Showie-Tee Global Services Limited with the project location listed as Akoda, Osun State.
However, opposition parties have alleged that the contract value later rose to about N130 billion with the Osun chapter of the APC accusing the state government of failing to explain the basis for the reported increase, asking for details of project payments, contract variations and the current level of completion
According to a statement by the APC, “The reported upward review of the cost of the Ede Airport project from an initial contract sum of ₦99.5 billion to about ₦130 billion is scandalous and criminal.
It added, “Even more troubling are allegations that a substantial percentage of the revised contract sum has already been paid to the contractor, an interior decoration company, Sowie Tee Global Services Limited, despite widespread claims that the level of work executed on the project does not correspond with the disbursements. These allegations deserve urgent clarification from the Ademola Adeleke administration in the interest of transparency and accountability.” The statement read.
Critics have also questioned the company selected for the project with the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) arguing that the firm handling the project should demonstrate sufficient aviation infrastructure experience, given the technical complexity of constructing an international airport.
The party called for a review of the contract, questioning whether the contractor had the required capacity for such a major aviation project. Official procurement documents, however, identify Showie-Tee Global Services Limited as the contractor for the airport construction works.
