Proposed New Airport: Edo community rejects location

The controversies surrounding the proposed new airport in Edo State has taken a new twist as the leaders of Okpella in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State have disagreed with Godwin Obaseki’s administration on the proposed location of airport project in Edo North Senatorial District.

Okpella leaders at a briefing on Sunday alleged marginalisation by Edo government, claiming that the proposed airport outside Okpella would be a disservice to the peace-loving people.

The leaders of Okpella, through their spokesman, Chief Richard David, revealed that there was a plan by BUA and Dangote companies to construct an aerodrome in Okpella, in view of their investments in the axis.

The spokesman of Okpella stated that In spite of the immense contributions of Okpella to the economic sustenance of Edo, the community remained the most unattended to, in the state government’s infrastructural consideration.

He said: “It was a thing of joy to Okpella people when the BUA group hinted that it had started the process of setting up an aerodrome in Okpella, for which appropriate modalities of the location of a suitable site, soil tests and payment of compensation to crop owners had been completed.

“We had expected and hoped that what was required of Edo government was to give the necessary support and encouragement for the laudable initiative to facilitate its timely completion.

(The Nation)