Oyo state Governor, Seyi Makinde has disclosed that Oyo state has secured the approval of the Presidency to upgrade Ibadan Airport to international standard.
The governor also secured immediate approval of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar Baba Hassan, for the deployment of new platoon to Oyo state at the new Base in Ajia, Ona-Ara local government.
The governor stated this on Wednesday June 26 while playing host to the Air Marshal Abubakar Baba Hassan and his high powered delegation at the Governor’s executive chamber.
The governor, who disclosed that President Bola Tinubu gave the approval earlier in the week, also emphasized his commitment to providing improved infrastructural facilities within and around the Ibadan Airport which include expansion of runway and construction of new terminal among others.
“Since I came into office five years ago, expansion of our economy has been a major focus for us and this administration was built on four major pillars; health, education, economic expansion and security. So, we’ve been talking to the presidency, the response that I got from there early this week, I was told the president has graciously approved my request for Ibadan Airport to be upgraded.” The governor stated.
He however hinted that he would be using the opportunity of his next trip to Abuja to meet with the president with the aim of receiving relevant documents regarding the approval.
The governor also requested for a new platoon in the state to be deployed to the new NAF Base in order to bolster its security assuring that necessary logistics including security vehicles and temporary accommodation for personnel among others have been made pending the final approval of the NAF boss. He also requested the nominations of one or two NAF personnel to join the Airport project implementation team to expand expertise on the job and to minimize or avoid any likely error in meeting the required standard.
While highlighting efforts made so far in terms of support for the security architecture of the state including provision of security vehicles and communication gadgets, Makinde reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continued support for security agencies in the state towards guaranteeing safety of lives and properties of all residents.
Makinde, who doubles as the vice chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) also commended the robust relationship between the state government and the Nigerian military particularly the Air Force which he noted has culminated into relative public peace and tranquility in the state.
Makinde commended the NAF under the leadership of Chief of Air Marshal Abubakar for deploying a fighter jet and other logistics to combat criminal elements hiding inside forests in the state and providing adequate security for residents while soliciting for the sustenance of such robust relationship.
While acknowledging the request made by the Chief of Air Marshal Abubakar regarding some of the challenges encountered in the process of building the new NAF Base, Makinde assured that all owners of land and properties in the area have been duly compensated and relocated stressing that there was no reason for NAF to encounter any challenges.
In his words: “I’m glad that you mentioned the issue of the Base at AjiaAjia. First, I’m aware that we’ve compensated the people at Ajia, Compol Odukoya (rtrd) actually led that effort. They’re my people. I first of all gave them money to provide temporary accommodation for them and then we compensated them but since it’s been mentioned, I will also double check, ideally, nobody is supposed to be on that land anymore.
“And for the support that we promised, your people have not allowed me to rest, so when I came back from Japan, I asked the Commissioner of Finance and I think they had issues regarding should they pay the director directly or things like that but I understand it’s been resolved, and we will provide you with proof of payment to the nominated account on or before Friday of this week.”
Responding to the request around the Ibadan Circular Road for the construction of NAF Housing scheme for its personnel, the governor, who was unsure the size of land was required for the project assured that work is still in progress regarding the road and that whatever is deemed decent in term of size would be communicated to NAF stressing the plan of the state to develop the Circular road corridor similar to the one around Air Force Headquarters in Abuja.
“Because we want to develop that corridor and for us, one thing is important, I said to people that corridor will be a first world environment so, it will be planned similar to the Air Force Base in Abuja. That is the kind of structure that will fit into what we’re planning. And we foresee quick appreciation of properties in that corridor. So, we will get back to you through our commissioner for Lands.
The Chief of Air Marshal Abubakar, who commended Governor Makinde for his impressive performance and consistently supporting NAF and maintaining a robust relationship which led to deployment of fighter jet and other to the state in a special operation codenamed ‘Oju Asa’ (Eagle eye) expressed the desire of the Airforce to sustain the relationship with the state government.
Accompanied by top personnel of the NAF, Abubakar, who disclosed earlier in his address that he was in Oyo state on a working visit said he deemed it expedient to pay homage to the governor and to appreciate him for his purposeful leadership. He however, gave immediate verbal approvals to the governor’s requests for the deployment of new platoon to Oyo state among other requests.
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