N60bn Abuja airport runway may suffer hiccup
The second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport may suffer some delay due to delay in passing the 2018 budget, Woleshadarenews has learnt.
The project it was learnt, is estimated to cost over N60 billion. Aside that, it was also learnt that the project has just over N15 billion as budgetary allocation, which is a paltry sum for a project of such magnitude.
While some are of the opinion that the project is not necessary at this point, many others are of the view that the country more than ever needs it.
The cost of the project could be more by the time the final architecture of the second runway is ready. Currently, consultants have been appointed to do the technical and engineering designs of the runway, which hasn’t been finalized. Experts told our correspondent that the proposed second runway for the Abuja airport will come with modern facilities such as the category one instrument landing system (ILS) and other modern navigational aids.
“The second runway is extremely very critical to aviation activities especially as regards making Abuja a hub of aviation activities,” he said. “It has been estimated to cost about N67 billion. I think provision for last year (2017), which will be expended before the fiscal year ends was put at N10billion. I found out that the provision for 2018 is N8billion.
Now, if we go by these budgetary allocations, it will take nearly forever for the second runway to come to fruition.” He noted that an attempt earlier by the government to procure the second runway was frustrated by politics. “Now there is the collective resolve of members of the National Assembly, the executives, the Nigerian people and aviators that we should procure this facility. I don’t think N8billion will be adequate. Just to say it in the open so we can take note of that.”
“As a former legislator, you must have the instrument of relationship with your legislators. Relationship matters. So I’m surprised you can’t get N63billion to finish your runway in the past two years.
I think you need to up your game” he said. Nigeria had shut down the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja from March 8, 2017 to April 18, 2017 for runway repairs that cost the taxpayers in excess N15billion.
This suggests that, currently, if there is an accident in Abuja airport, it will be shut to traffic, until all the debris are evacuated. That is pretty dangerous, let alone an attack on the facility.
Thus, experts and stakeholders agree that a second runway at the airport is critical, at least to avoid a situation where it will be shut because of a minor incident.
