Abuja Airport repair to cost N 5.8bn – Minister

The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, has said that the proposed repair of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja runway would cost over N5.8 billion.

New Telegraph reports that he also said that the proposed closure of the airport for six weeks for renovation work was in the best interest of Nigerians.

The minister stated this while answering questions from senators at plenary on the reasons for the decision and possible implications on the economy and the citizenry.

This was as the apex chamber directed the Minister to hold consultations with the Nigeria Society of Engineers(NSE) and other stakeholders in Aviation sector aimed at getting professional advice on the planned closure/repairs of the runway and meet with it next week Tuesday for final decision on the implementation of the project, New Telegraph reports.

While grilling the Minister at a committee of the whole that lasted for three hours, the senators faulted reasons offered by the Aviation Minister for proposing to close the Airport for six weeks and temporarily relocating flights take off and landing services to Kaduna. Sirika told the Senate that the decision to relocate the airport to Kaduna was based on security and safety reasons for international and local passengers.

The Senate had on Tuesday, invited the Transport Minister, Hon Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika; Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; Minister of FCT, Mohammed Bello; Chief executive officers and Managing Directors of FAAN and NAMA, to appear before it to explain the reasons for the planned closure of the Abuja International Airport while carrying out repairs of the runway.

Read more: https://newtelegraphonline.com/news/abuja-airport-repair-gulp-n-5-8bn-minister/