We Got No N50bn From FG for Ibadan International Airport— Oyo Govt

…As Makinde’s Aide Dismisses Wike’s Claim, Says State Funded Project

The Oyo State Government has dismissed as false the claim that the Federal Government gave the state ₦50 billion for the reconstruction and upgrade of the Ibadan Airport.

The government was reacting to a statement credited to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who reportedly said during a television programme on Monday that President Bola Tinubu had provided about ₦50 billion to support the airport project.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, said the Federal Government’s approval for the airport upgrade was granted on the condition that the project would be undertaken at no cost to the Federal Government.

Olanrewaju said the records of the approval were available to both the Presidency and the Oyo State Government, insisting that the state had solely funded the comprehensive transformation of the airport.

According to him, the works include the expansion and strengthening of the runway, upgrade of airfield lighting and navigational systems, apron improvements, enhanced aviation safety installations, the dualisation of the Airport Road and the ongoing construction of a modern international terminal.

The governor’s aide said Wike’s claim was not supported by any Federal Executive Council decision, presidential approval or statutory aviation infrastructure process, adding that aviation infrastructure funding was subject to established due-process channels involving the Federal Ministry of Aviation and other regulatory bodies.

He further accused the minister of making an unsubstantiated claim capable of misleading members of the public and distorting public understanding of government finances.

Olanrewaju said the state government would continue to uphold transparency and accountability, while urging public officials to exercise restraint and responsibility when making statements concerning government projects and finances.

He stated: “The Federal Government did not give Oyo State ₦50 billion for the Ibadan Airport upgrade. Any suggestion to the contrary is a fabrication and a lie from the pit of hell.”