By Sade Williams
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo is seeking an extra whooping N81billion for the completion of the second runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
This is just as he has presented a budget proposal of N63 billion for the entire Ministry and its Agencies.
Keyamo, who expressed fears over the danger associated with having only one runway for a capital city like Abuja, met with the 10th Assembly joint committee on Aviation technology on Tuesday for the 2024 Ministry of Aviation budget defence.
Putting the performance of the 2023 budget at 40% based on the releases so far, Keyamo said that critical projects such as Abuja second runway, upgrade and rehabilitation of the old terminal of Lagos airport were vital projects that need urgent attention.
He affirmed his five ocus areas for the industry to be: to ensure strict compliance with safety regulations and continuous upward movement of Nigeria’s rating by International Civil Aviation Organization; support for the growth and sustenance of local airline businesses whilst holding them to the highest international standards in the aviation industry;
Improvement of infrastructure in the aviation industry; development of human capacity within the industry and optimizing revenue generation for the Federal Government.
Speaking further, Keyamo appealed to the 10th Assembly joint committee for the procurement of consultancy for the design of a Master plan for major airports in Nigeria, stating the need to give more attention to the area of safety with the procurement of equipment.
The minister further informed the committee that Mr. President has graciously approved the purchase of screening machines for the 5 international airports in Nigeria.
On the issue of airport concession, the Minister said, he has taken into consideration the concerns of the 9th Assembly as regard the non-transparent manner it was conducted but affirmed that concession is the way to go for the 5 international airports in Nigeria.
He informed the committee that he has written a memo to Mr. President for a quality concession process for the Lagos, Kano, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Enugu airports.
