GROUP APPEALS TO FG, LAWMAKERS, OTHERS ON EKITI AIRPORT PROJECT The Ekiti Justice Group
(EJG) has appealed to the Federal Government to expedite actions on the take-off of the Airport Project approved for the State, saying; “Ekiti must not be denied the Airport haven't been approved by the federal government and fund provided for its take-off in the 2009 Appropriation Act.”
EJG, in a letter addressed to the Minister of Aviation and copied to the Presidency and National Assembly lamented that Ekiti State was on the verge of losing the chance of having a airport of its own, accusing the State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi of deliberately refusing to take any action on the project since he assumed office.
Copy of the letter titled; “Save Ekiti Airport Project” and signed by the EJG national Coordinator, Dr. Tunji Oluwasanmi and Director of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Babawibe made available to reporters read in part; “survey work on the project site along Ado-Ijan road was already being done by a consortium of surveyors among who was a notable first class traditional ruler in the State before the Chief Segun Oni-led government was terminated via the Appeal Court judgment.
“Then too, there was a joint committee of both the State and the Federal Government on the project and as at September, this year, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Aerial Survey had been carried out. Contract for fencing of the project site had also been advertised.
“However, since Fayemi assumed office, Ekiti State government that is supposed to be the mover of the multi-billion naira project has not lifted a single finger on it and this is worrisome.
“More worrisome is also the fact that we have gathered that Fayemi was deliberately frustrating the project because he would have preferred the Airport to be sited between Oye and Isan-Ekiti, his hometown.
“It is also important to note that fund was appropriated for the project in the 2009 Budget and since the fund was not utilised, it must have been returned to the treasury. Therefore, Ekiti State and its people have lost the chance of getting their own share of the nation's wealth again!
“We therefore call on you Sir, to please use your good offices to see to it that this laudable project is not allowed to die just because of retrogressive partisan politics.”
“Please, save Ekiti Airport Project.”
Also in a separate letter to the State House of Assembly, the group urged the lawmakers to prevail of Fayemi to step-up action on the Airport saying; “Ekiti people will never forgive all of you if you allow this opportunity to slip-off our hands.”