MINISTER for Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola on the construction of the MKO Abiola International Airport in Ido-Osun, Osun State.
The minister who was on the tour of Federal Government projects in the state, said: “The Federal Government decided to embark on inspection of its projects across the country so as to know the level of works done by states that are claiming refunds for Federal Projects executed by them.”
“We are inspecting federal roads. Some of the states have constructed federal roads and are asking for refund. So we are going round. We have a committee set up by Federal Executive Council headed by Raji Fashola, who is in charge of South-South.”
“I am in charge of South-West. There are others too going round the country,” Amaechi said.
On his part, the governor disclosed that Federal Government, made the commitment to share the cost of the airport project with the state on 50/50 basis when it gave its approval in 2010.
“The committee set up by the Federal Executive Council to inspect Federal Government’s projects in various states will afterwards submit it’s report to the council for adequate action.”
“I would take back to the President what I have seen. I would take that to the President and he will make a decision based on the information the council passes on to him.”
He, however, gave kudos to Aregbesola, for his aggressive way in developing the state saying, “I was in the state to ascertain the level of work done on federal roads and federal facilities located in Osun”.
The minister said: “Initially, when the economic meltdown started, I was very worried for states like Osun because of the availability of resources”.
“Am I still worried? The answer is yes, because the economy hasn’t improved. But I commend him for been able to manage gradually to continue what he started.”
“I thank God for the leadership Osun has in him and his deputy for their being able to manage the little resources.”
In his remark, Governor, Aregbesola, charged the Federal Government to fulfill it’s commitment to the MKO Abiola International Airport, by making available it’s counterpart funds to the project.
He noted: “We want you to convey our message to the Federal Government on its commitment to jointly fund the airport with our state base on the 50/50 sharing of the cost of the project.”