By Daniel Tyokua
The Ministers of FCT, Malam Muhammad Bello and the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, have given the contractor handling the 2nd runway of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja three-months to complete the project.
They stated this during a visit to the construction site, with a call on the contractor to double its efforts and ensure its completion by May 29th, 2023..
According to them, the project was a legacy whose scope went far beyond the runway alone.
The Aviation Minister while thanking the FCT Minister for the allocation of 12,000 hectares of land, said the project was actually an aviation city containing everything a modern city has including hotels, shopping malls, schools, cinemas and hospitals; an Aerotropolis.
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 Chief of Jiwa Dr Musa Idris, who was also present during the site visit, said that the indigenous community will cooperate with the Administration for the construction of the 2nd runway project and the Aviation City.
He said that enumeration has been carried out on the land acquired for the project, save for 20 hectares and urged that compensation be paid to the communities.
In his remarks, the FCT Minister pledged the Administrations total support for the project and said that the indigenous communities and people stood to benefit the most from the project as it will bring about huge economic activities and employment opportunities to the people
