The Federal Government has given approval of N920 billion for a total overhaul of the Lagos airport, alongside six other major projects as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Funding.
The development was disclosed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo at the State House on Thursday while speaking with journalists after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The Minister described the approvals as โa landmark interventionโ that will modernise critical infrastructure across Nigeriaโs airports.
He said: โToday, it was the turn of aviation to get the kind attention of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund, and we are very grateful. Mr. President decided to turn his attention to aviation for massive infrastructural upgrades across the country”.
Keyamo explained that the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Terminal One in Lagos will undergo a complete strip-down and rebuild, a departure from the patchwork renovations of the past.
โThe old Lagos airport you see there will be stripped down to the carcass and rebuilt. We are going to redo the mechanical, electrical, plumbing โ everything โ to deliver a brand-new airport,โ he explained.
The total cost for the Lagos terminal rebuild and associated upgrades will be N712,258,565,482.18, with CCECC, which constructed the new Terminal Two, handling the projects.
Terminal Two, the Chinese-built structure, will also see improvements, including apron expansion, new access roads, bridges, and associated works with 22 months completion period.
Under the same Fund, runway rehabilitation and lighting upgrades to CAT-2 standard, the kind that allows planes to land even in heavy haze were approved for some airports including Malam Aminu Kano International Airport with rehabilitation of runways 06/24 and 05/23, taxiway works, and upgrade of airfield ground lighting system to CAT-2 at the cost of N46,392,454,624.04. The project has 24 weeks completion timeline.
Also, the Federal Government approved the rehabilitation of runway 03/21 and taxiway of Port Harcourt International Airport, with CAT-2 lighting system installation at the cost of N2,143,264,117.84.
โMurtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos: Rehabilitation of runway 18 Left/36 Right, upgrade of taxiways B and C, and CAT-2 LED airfield lighting. Cost N44,134,285,954.11. Completion timeline: 30 weeks.โ
The Minister also revealed that a 14.6-kilometre security metal fence will be constructed around Lagos Airport, complete with an operational road, CCTV cameras, intruder detection systems, and solar-powered floodlighting.
โThere have been so many intrusions into airports from unmanned areas. We are bringing in sophisticated fence and equipment โ the kind you see in very modern airports โ with a command centre to detect anything moving along the fence line,โ he explained.
The project, to be completed in 24 months, is valued at N49,899,681,901.44.
Also approved is the reconstruction and conversion of aprons at the domestic wing of Lagos Airport to rigid pavement.
The works will cover 32,100 square meters (Phase 1), 34,087.5 square meters (Phase 2), and 16,200 square meters (Phase 3), providing expanded parking space for aircraft.
โThe aprons are where aircraft park. We are expanding them to accommodate more planes,โ Keyamo explained.
This project will last 17ยฝ months and cost N24,274,544,888.91.
Keyamo also announced that FEC approved the full business case for the 30-year concession of Akano Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, following an unsolicited proposal by the Aero Alliance Consortium.
โMost of our smaller airports are run at a loss. Profits from Kano, Lagos, Abuja keep them alive. The plan has always been to concession some airports to private operators who can develop and run them profitably,โ Keyamo said.
The concession also covers the uncompleted cargo terminal facility at the Enugu airport.
He emphasised that the concession process will be transparent, with union representatives carried along:
โI am not someone who ignores the unions. From the start, I directed that the unions must be part of the committee. The details will be finalised and made public at the right time,โ he said.
With these sweeping approvals, Keyamo said the Tinubu-led administration has signaled its determination to bring Nigerian airports up to global safety, security and service standards.
โThis is happy news for the aviation sector. Mr. President has now turned his attention to aviation, and with these projects, we will deliver modern, safer, and more efficient airports across the country,โ he concluded.
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