Flights diversion: FG to spend N1.1bn on logistics Police to deploy 3 helicopters, 500 vans

The Federal Government has earmarked N1.1billion as cost of logistics and security during the six weeks period when flights would be diverted from Abuja to Kaduna Airport, the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika said yesterday.

Briefing senators on the planned closure of Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, Sirika said the amount would be spent on security, transportation and others.

He said of the N1.1bn, the Nigerian Railway Corporation will get N103million, Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), N237million, Police N358million, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) N29million and Ministry of Transport (Bus services), N84million.

The minister also put the cost of repair of the Abuja airport at N5.8bn.

Also speaking, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola said the repair of Abuja-Kaduna Highway would gulp N1.05billion.

Fashola said the contract awarded to CGC Construction Company would be completed on February 28 this year.

Justifying the selection of Kaduna against Minna Airport, he said the state of Abuja-Kaduna Highway was better than Minna Highway.

Speaking on the level of security preparedness, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris said three helicopters, 500 patrol vans and 500 tactical personnel are going to be deployed during the six weeks.

Represented by the DIG operations, Joshak Abila, he said the police would partner with sister security organizations to ensure the safety of passengers and other road users.

In his presentation, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engineer Wolfgang Goetsch said the extent of damage on the runway does not allow partial closure of the Airport.

“It is in all our interest to make the thing happen and to solve it as quickly as possible. We guarantee that within six weeks the repair work is done subject to the fulfilment of the obligations of all stakeholders.

“Julius Berger also guarantees after the repair work a lifespan of this runway up to 10 years minimum subject to regular maintenance,” he said.

The Senate however resolved in favour of segmented repairs of the Abuja Airport runway to avoid complete closure but said “the Minister can take decision based on technical advice by stakeholders.”