Again, Osun re-awards MKO Abiola airport at N69bn

By Lateef Dada

Osogbo

For the third time, a new company, AWOL International Company, has agreed to complete the MKO Abiola Airport, Ido-Osun, at a cost of N69 billion.
The airport project had been awarded twice to different companies at different price, but all to no avail.
The 2nd Chief Resident Architect of the company new company, Mr. Niyi Ogundiran, who appeared before Osun state House Assembly recently, disclosed that under the new concession agreement, AWOL “will manage the airport for 30 years before it will transfer its ownership to Osun state government.”
According to him, the initial cost of the project when it was awarded on October 14, 2012 was N4.5 billion and eight months was proposed for its completion.
When the initial completion target could not be met, Ogundiran said the contract was reviewed and the contract sum rose to N11 billion to accommodate new features in the airport.
He added that the state government had spent a total sum of N3.6 billion on the project till date.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Engr. Nurudeen Adeagbo, while addressing the lawmakers, said the concession agreement would be to the advantage of the state government, and expressed optimism that the company would deliver a good project.
The House of Assembly, therefore, urged those in charge of the project to ensure that it is speedily completed.
While reacting, the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Adegboye Akintunde, said the people of the state were interested in the airport project and that those in charge must ensure that the concessionaire delivered on the job.
The member representing Ife North, Mr. Tunde Olatunji, noted that the airport project remained a huge investment which must not be handled carelessly.
When completed, Olatunji said, the airport would fast-track economic development in the state when completed.

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