The leaders of Okpella in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State have disagreed with the Godwin Obaseki’s administration on the proposed airport project in Edo North Senatorial District.
Okpella leaders at a briefing on Sunday alleged marginalisation by Edo government.
They claimed 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 location of 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.
“We had also expected that Edo State government would commit resources to set up auxiliary infrastructure like access road to and from the aerodrome, supply of water and improved power supply, among others.
“To our surprise, a letter from the Federal Ministry of Aviation (FMA), dated, December 16, 2021, with reference number: FMA/ADD/402/5.42/C.9/12, conveying approval for an airport project, wrongly mentioned Okpella as being part of Etsako West Local Government Area.
“We had expected something to be done to correct this, but nothing of such happened.
“This action of the FMA, the silence of the Etsako East Council and the body language of Edo State government have tended to anger our youths and generality of the community.”
David also revealed that leaders of Okpella had been pleading with the restive youths of the community.
He said: “Our demand is that if the same investors that initiated moves to build an airstrip at Okpella are the same groups that will eventually be compelled to muster funds for the proposed airport project, they should be allowed to continue with the ongoing project in Okpella unhindered and uncoerced.
“If otherwise, we cannot quarantee the peaceful coexistence between the investors and the people of Okpella, unless the community ceases to be the host community.”
The spokesman also declared that Okpella people demanded that nothing negative or untoward be done by Edo government to disrupt or distort the industrial harmony and peace, currently prevailing in the community.
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