2nd runway: FCT ministers charge contractor to complete project by May 29th

Malam Muhammad Bello, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation, have given the contractor working on the second runway at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, three months to complete the project.

They made this statement while visiting the construction site and urged the contractor to step up efforts so that it would be finished by May 29th, 2023.

They claimed that the project was a legacy with far-reaching implications beyond the runway itself.

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The project is actually an aviation city with all the amenities of a modern city, such as hotels, shopping centers, schools, cinemas, and hospitals, according to the aviation minister, who thanked the FCT minister for allocating 12,000 hectares of land for the project. This is known as an aeropolis.

A statement issued by the Director Press to the Minister of FCT, Anthony Ogunleye, said the area is designated as a Free Trade Zone, Sirika said that the project will tremendously boost economic activities not just in the FCT but across the country, stressing that the facilities will also include a cargo hub and also serve as the hub for the national carrier.

The statement read: “The start will also serve as a base for the aviation leasing company and it already had within it the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau offices”

Responding, the Project Consultant, Engr R. Baba, said that the 2nd runway was a 4.2 kilometer stretch and will contain all modern associated facilities, including a CAT III ILS landing aid that will enable aircrafts land with minimal visibility and other facilities like a new control tower and fire station.

During the site visit, the Chief of Jiwa, Dr. Musa Idris, stated that the indigenous community would work with the administration to build the Aviation City and the second runway project.

He argued that the communities should receive compensation and claimed that all of the land acquired for the project had been counted, with the exception of 20 hectares.

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The FCT Minister stated that the project would have the full support of the Administration and that indigenous communities and individuals would stand to gain the most from it because it will result in significant economic activity and job opportunities for them.