The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo revealed on Monday in Abuja that the Federal Government has begun the construction of a second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
According to The PUNCH, Keyamo disclosed in Abuja during the ministerial press briefing to mark President Bola Tinubu’s first year in office.
The project, which has been plagued by controversy and delays since the Obasanjo administration, marks a significant step forward in President Bola Tinubu’s first year in office.
“Since the Obasanjo era, it was controversy after controversy. Some efforts started during the last administration, so we have to acknowledge that.
“The necessity of a second runway has long been a critical issue for the nation’s capital. The danger of operating a nation’s capital with just one runway… Imagine foreign heads of state coming to Nigeria and there is a problem with the runway. Where are we going to divert them? Are we going to cancel the conference if they are coming for a conference?
“It is inconceivable that a nation’s capital would be operating on one runway and we have been doing it for many years,” he explained.
Keyamo disclosed that the contractors have mobilized to the site, and construction of the second runway has commenced.
He further emphasized the ministry’s commitment to enforcing strict safety regulations and maintaining Nigeria’s upward trajectory in ratings by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
The minister also noted a significant milestone in Nigeria’s aviation sector with the resumption of cargo flights between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
“We have agreed that we are going to resume cargo flights between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. This has been suspended for a long time,” he announced.
While stressing the importance of air cargo trade globally, he said, “Globally, air cargo trade accounts for 35 per cent of the world trade and, according to the International Air Transport Association, attracts about $6tn annually. We were missing within that sector.
“The resumption of these flights is seen as a first step in a broader strategy to enhance Nigeria’s participation in global air cargo trade.”
The minister affirmed his commitment to further engage with various countries worldwide to explore opportunities for Nigeria to benefit from the resumption of cargo trade with them.
