N72bn Abuja airport 2nd runway, contractor mobilised to site – Minister

There is hope rising for the construction of the second runway for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja projected to cost about N72 billion.

The Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, said the contractor had been mobilised to the site and the construction would commence any moment as completion is projected for six months.

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The minister stated this after conducting the National Assembly joint committee on Aviation to the site during an oversight function.

The minister also promised that all projects in the aviation roadmap will delivered before May 29, 2023.

“We are here with two committees of the national assembly, the Senate and the House of Reps, on oversight.

“On this spot is where the much awaited second runway is coming. The contractor has been mobilized to site and work has commenced in earnest and it is our intention to deliver the project as soon as possible, as soon as practicable. Government is committed to this project and funding it,” he stated.

The Chairman House committee on Aviation, Nnolim Nnaji, said the cost of the new runway is put at N72 billion and this will involve a lot of logistics.

Hon. Nnaji explained that the cost covers lightening, infrastructure, buildings and the construction of the 4.2 kilometres of runway.

He also said the runway will be the longest in West Africa if completed, commending Sirika for the project.

Nnaji said, “We have been expecting this construction to take off because we are aware that we have been funding budget to accommodate for the second runway which is very important to this country. Abuja being the capital of Nigeria with an aggressive infrastructural development and economic activities, we feel that it is important to have another runway. This runway when completed will be the longest runway in west Africa; 4.2 kilometres against the existing runway which is about 3.7 kilometres.”