Reps to probe abandoned Ogun airport

THE House of Representatives on Tuesday called on Federal Government ‎on the need to complete the International Airport at Mosan Village, Wasimi in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The House also urged the Federal Government to urgently pay compensation as contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to the displaced villagers whose farmlands were acquired for the Airport project.

The House equally mandated the Committee on Aviation to ascertain the reason for the abandonment of the project with a view to recommending how to ensure its completion and report back within six (6) weeks for further legislative action.

The House resolution followed a motion sponsored by Hon Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka, entitled, “call for completion of the International Airport at Mosan Village, Wasimi in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State”.

According to him, “Nigeria is almost losing out on the Hull Blyth, a Shipping and Cargo Services Company that had long ago concluded arrangements to locate a $50 million dry port at Wasimi which would have been completed within a year of commencement of construction works”.

He equally stated that, the conception of a conventional airport in 2005 to be located at Mosan Village for importation of consumer goods, machinery and industrial raw products, export of agricultural products and perishable goods, mail and courier services, a pilot training school, an aircraft maintenance facility and general aviation facilities, including helicopter and air taxi services.

The abandonment of the multi billion Naira project, he added had caused the displacement of about thirty five (35) communities whose farmlands that used to produce agricultural products like Ofada rice and high yield cassava were taken over for the airport project which site is now becoming a haven for criminals as a perimeter fencing of 5 kilometers by 5 kilometers is the only visible infrastructure in place, thus raising concerns about the sudden stall in the progress of the project.

On opportunity that was inherent in the project, he said that, the importance of conventional airports for delivery of cargo and international travels and also a means of creating direct and indirect jobs, stimulating economic activities, development of the locality and raising its international profile and standard of living of the people.

The motion was passed through voice vote when it when i‎t was put to vote by the Speaker, Hon Yakubu Dogara.