Work Resumes on Abuja Airport’s Second Runway

The Nigerian government has directed the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation to resume work on the second runway at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this in Lagos during Aero Contractors’ 67th anniversary celebration.

Keyamo said the long-delayed project, under discussion for nearly two decades, is now expected to cost close to N400 billion, compared with the N45 billion estimate when it was initially proposed.

Abuja Runway Project Delayed

According to Keyamo, President Bola Tinubu has approved CCECC’s return to the project to restart construction of the second runway.

“The President has also approved that CCECC goes back to Abuja and begins the rebuilding of the second runway,” Keyamo said.

He recalled that the controversy surrounding the project began during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Keyamo said the National Assembly had questioned the proposed N45 billion cost of constructing the runway at the time.

“So, the committee on aviation, we could not raise N45 billion at that time to do the second runway. 15 years or nearly 20 years later, it’s now costing us nearly N400 billion. That is the danger in delaying the building of infrastructure because the prices will go up every day,” he said.

The minister’s comments highlight the rising cost of infrastructure projects when implementation is delayed for extended periods.

Keyamo Praises Aero Contractors

Speaking on Aero Contractors’ 67-year history, Keyamo described the airline as an example of resilience, noting that it had survived despite the high rate of airline failures in Nigeria and across Africa.

“This is the story of Aero Contractors. From 1969 to where we are today, Aero Contractors has survived to this point. In those years, we have witnessed the highest rate of mortality of airlines in Africa and Nigeria. But in the midst of all this, Aero Contractors survived in Nigeria,” he said.

Keyamo said the Nigerian aviation industry had witnessed the collapse of scores of airlines over the years.