The contractor working on the second runway at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja has been given three months to complete the project by the Ministers of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Bello, and of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.
On a visit to the construction site, they made this announcement and urged the contractor to step up efforts to finish the project by May 29th, 2023.
They claimed that the undertaking was a legacy whose scope went well beyond the runway itself.
The project is actually an aviation city with all the amenities of a modern city, such as hotels, shopping centers, schools, cinemas, and hospitals, the aviation minister said in a statement after thanking the FCT Minister for the allocation of 12,000 hectares of land.
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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.
The Jiwa Chief Dr. Musa Idris, who was also present during the site visit, stated that the indigenous community will work with the administration to build the Aviation City and the second runway project.
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Except for 20 hectares, he claimed that enumeration had been done on the land acquired for the project, and he urged that the local communities receive compensation.
In his remarks, the FCT Minister vowed the Administration’s full support for the project and noted that indigenous communities and individuals stood to gain the most from it as it will result in significant economic activity and job opportunities for them.
