FEC Approves N20.4bn for Lagos Airport Runway, Road Projects

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday in Abuja approved over N20 billion for the construction of the extension of Murtala Muhammed International Airport runway in Lagos as well as other road projects.

While the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, said the runway extension would cost N2.2 billion, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said construction of roads in Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) linking the territory to Lokoja would cost N6.7 billion, adding that further revised costs to aid completion of abandoned projects would cost N11 billion.

Briefing journalists at the end of the FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari in the State House, Sirika said the approval of N2.2 billion would serve as a revised estimated total cost for the runway project.

He said the runway extension and rehabilitation was essential for Lagos airport, because it would improve the safety of the airport.

“Today in council, Aviation Ministry presented a memo for a revised estimated total cost for the extension and asphalt overlay of the Murtala Mohammed Airport runway. The sum involved is N2, 272, 838, 724.84 and it has completion of 12 months.

“This central taxiway bravo is very critical to the operations of Lagos. It will improve the efficiency and safety of that particular airport. It has been abandoned for the last 16 years or thereabout and in our own efforts to ensure that all projects are completed for the benefit of the country, its future and its fortune.