Oyo State governor, Engr Seyi Makinde has announced that N41 billion has been allocated for the upgrade of Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Alakia, Ibadan, to international standards.

Governor Makinde revealed this figure during the groundbreaking ceremony for the airport upgrade on Wednesday. The project is scheduled for completion within 12 months and aims to transform the local airport, which was commissioned in 1982, into an international facility.

"This is not a project that is merely for show; it is a strategic investment that will connect Oyo State to the global market," he stated.

"We are flagging off the first phase today, with the second phase focusing on the terminal. Both phases will be completed simultaneously."

In a surprising turn, the governor also announced his intention to veto the Presumptive Tax Bill recently passed by the state House of Assembly, citing the ongoing economic hardships faced by citizens.

Makinde expressed concerns that the bill would impose additional burdens on the poor, noting, "The people are already hungry and angry."

The Presumptive Tax Bill seeks to impose taxes on individuals and businesses without financial records, affecting artisans, traders, and small-scale entrepreneurs. Taxes for affected businesses, such as barbers, carpenters, photographers, and mechanics, would range from N1,000 to N50,000 annually.