The contractor handling the MKO Abiola International Airport in Ido-Osun, Osun State, on Thursday said the first phase of the N69bn project would be ready within eight months.

The Chief Executive Officer of AWOL Group of Companies in charge of the airport project, Mr. Nurudeen Ogunlade, disclosed this at a news conference in Osogbo on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Osun Government, on October 26, signed a concession agreement with AWOL for the construction of the airport.

“The concession agreement will be on “Build-Operate-Transfer” basis and to last for 30 years.’’

The contract was first awarded on October 14, 2012, at the cost of N4.5bn and was to be completed within eight months. It was later reviewed to N11bn.

Ogunlade said with the construction of the airport, the economy and tourism potential of the state would be fully realised.

“The state’s tourism potential will not be fully realised without an international airport. And tourism is likely to be our foreign exchange earner for a long time to come.’’

Ogunlade said the airport project would provide about 10,000 jobs for youths during the construction period and 2,000 jobs after its completion.

He said there would be a cargo and maintenance section as part of the airport structural design, which would be one of its kind in the country and the West African sub-region.

“With the increasing alarm in food shortage in the country, the MKO Abiola International Airport will double up with manufacturing products and food bank warehouse cargo sector.’’

Ogunlade said the airport project was increased from N11bn to N69bn under the concession agreement due to its expansion and other modern facilities that were included.

He, however, said the airport, which would be built on 839 hectares of land, would be funded 100 percent by the company.

On his part, the State Commissioner for works, Mr. Kazeem Salami, said the airport would bring development to the state after its completion.

NAN

aolawale025:
For a state that was the first to be distressed. Where are they getting the money?

fyneguy:


That's why you people fail in school.

Who forbade you from reading the piece?

Lordave:
I'll cease to be a Nigerian if it happens.

Who else will?

aolawale025:
For a state that was the first to be distressed. Where are they getting the money?

kn23h:


Will? I thought you’re a biafran.

aolawale025:
For a state that was the first to be distressed. Where are they getting the money?

aolawale025:
For a state that was the first to be distressed. Where are they getting the money?

seunowa:

You are d real dullard

aolawale025:


Really? Do you really believe a company would build an airport for 69b without any equity contribution from the state. You must be a big one to fall for that

commoditiesnig:

The equity contribution from the state Govt. is the Hectares of LAND already provided, possibly with other govt incentives.

As others have rightly told you, pls learn to read before commenting.

aolawale025:


Is that right? So in all honesty you think the land is worth 69b. Learn to digest news. When dangote got the nod to rebuild apapa road he got tax rebates right? A private company has to have a financial incentive to embark on a project that would belong to the state. And the article was silent on what the state was giving in return because nothing goes for nothing. I stand on my point. Osun cannot afford whatever it is giving in return which isn't just the "land" as you wrote. If just land was enough Lagos would have upto three airports by now. Kogi would have too.

engineerboat:
This is ridiculous

1. The contract was first awarded on October 14, 2012, at the cost of N4.5bn and was to be completed within eight months. With nothing to show


2. It was later reviewed to N11bn. To be completed in another 8 months again in 2014. Still nothing to show

3. 2017 rewarded and concessioned To AWOL (away without Allowance) for N69 billion. A nee registered money bag company with not tract records in nigeria. More or less preparing ground for 2019 election campaign money



Kai kaiiiiiiii

Aregbese o de beru Olorun.



Kaiiiiiiiiiiiiijiiii

fyneguy:


What's the evidence that money was released for the contract by then? People tend to mix up budget and actual funds release.

fyneguy:


I'm not known to call people names but one is compelled to call you one.

Did you not read that the contractor would operate it for 30 Years? It's a build-operate-n-tranfer deal. He recoups his money from the 30- year operations.