Minister charges contractors on quality Abuja second runway delivery, gets ten-year warranty

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has charged the contractors handling the construction of the Abuja second runway project for standardised and long-lasting project.

The Minister who visited the site of the ongoing runway project warned the contractors against using sub-standard materials.

Keyamo was on a tour of the Abuja airports where he inspected facilities and access the quality of services at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

“Please we need to be sure you guys are keeping to standard. Where’s the MD? How many years guarantee are you giving us so that at least 10 years because we will not rush for any procurement, years, after the completion of this project? You must up your game.”

The Managing Director of CCECC, David Wang promised to keep to standard by delivering the runway that will last longer. He also agreed to the 10-year guarantee which the Minister accepted.

Recall that the Minister met with the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on compensation and relocation of Abuja indigenes, who were affected by the planned construction of a second runway for NAIA.

Arising from a resolution, issued at the end of the meeting, Keyamo said: “The second runway ought to have been commissioned by now, sometime in June or July 2023 but we haven’t mobilized yet to the site because of unresolved issues of compensation”.

He stated that the issues around compensation by law do not concern the Ministry of Aviation and that the humongous demand by the communities was not achievable and would set a bad precedent.

He however expressed optimism of quick completion of the project since a resolution has been reached by all parties.

Wole Shadare