Punch Newspapers reports that the Osun state Governor, Rauf Aregbesola has reacted to the allegation of contract inflation levelled against him, by thePeoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the state. The PDP accused him of inflating the cost of constructing the Moshood Abiola International Airport at Ido-Osun from N4.5bn to N15.5bn. The party also said the Airport is a ploy to embezzle bailout funds sent to the state. Speaking on behalf of the Governor, the information consultant for the state, Mr. Sunday Akere said:
“The PDP in Osun should be ignored, they are just seeking relevance. They should find out how much PDP states like Akwa Ibom, Gombe and others built their airports. When former President Goodluck Jonathan was in power, he said he added an additional airstrip to the Nnamdi Azikiwi International Airport, Abuja with N36bn. We should be commended for building an airport with N11.5bn. If we are building a complete airport with a hanger and other facilities for N11.5bn, then we should be commended. The governor deserves commendation,”he said.
Akere said the increase in the cost of the project was as a “result of inflation caused by the short fall of the naira.” Governor Aregbesola has been criticised for constructing an International Airport, instead of paying staff salaries.