Buhari orders finance minister to provide special funds for runway at Abuja International Airport

On Tuesday in Lagos, President Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) asked the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, to seek special funds for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport’s second runway.

The President’s appeal came at a time when the nation is burdened by a N39.56 trillion foreign debt.

The President also directed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to complete the documentation of the approved 12,000 hectares of land to accommodate the runway and other developmental projects, speaking at the inauguration of the new Terminal Building at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

He also charged the Minister of Aviation with expediting the airport concession program, improving aviation practice in the country, and bringing the aviation sector up to international standards.

Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, revealed this in a statement headed, ‘Aviation: President Buhari asks finance minister to hunt for special financing for Abuja airport second runway, inaugurates new terminal building at MMIA,’ which he signed Tuesday.

Buhari noted that the completion and delivery of five brand new international airport terminals since 2015, when they were at 11 percent completion, aligns perfectly with the Aviation Roadmap developed in 2016 to establish critical infrastructure, such as a National Carrier and a maintenance, repairs, and overhaul center, as well as improved airport terminals through concession.

Despite limited resources, the President praised the regime’s efforts in interstate rail links, road networks, agriculture, electricity, and telecommunications as exceptional.

“These include the designation of four airports as Free Trade Zones, namely Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt, where customs duties are not applicable; the elimination of VAT on all forms of shared transportation, including air transportation; and the exemption of commercial aircraft and spare parts from VAT payment.

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“This government finished and commissioned similar improvements at both the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and the Port Harcourt International Airport, and our people have reaped the benefits of those wonderful terminals”.

“The one in Kano is also finished and will be commissioned soon, while work on the one in Enugu is continuing apace,” he added.

Buhari expressed optimism that the new terminal in Lagos, which features 66 check-in counters, sixteen immigration desks on arrival, twenty-eight immigration desks on departure, and eight security screening points, among other amenities, will contribute significantly to the country’s socio-political and economic prosperity.

He went on to say that the improvements will expand airport operations and management services to around 14 million passengers per year, generate 3,000 direct and indirect employment, increase foreign direct investment inflows, and result in exponential growth in the GDP.

He expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and people, via the China Export-Import Bank and CCECC Nigeria Limited, for their dedication and help in completing the project.

The President also praised the Federal Ministry of Aviation and its agencies, especially the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, for their tireless efforts in bringing the project to fruition.

“A new era of safety, security, and comfort has been ushered into the Nigerian aviation sector with the implementation of this project,” he stated, “and I am convinced that it will become better with the passage of time.”

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State, said it was instructive that Lagos State had witnessed the evolution of three major infrastructure development projects in one day that will change the Nigerian landscape, while commending the President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, for the infrastructural renewal and redevelopment required for a city like Lagos.

Senator Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation, said that aviation is the global fast transportation network that promotes international trade, business, and tourism, as well as the sole means of promoting continental integration and engagement in order to achieve the AU Agenda 2063.

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According to Sirika, a study conducted by the International Air Transport Association in 2020 on Nigeria “showed that the sector created 241,000 jobs, both direct and indirect, and contributed $1.7 billion to the economy,” with the goal of increasing the sector’s contribution from 0.68 percent to 5%, or approximately $14.16 billion.

He said that the new port will be connected to the train system.