LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo revealed on Monday in Abuja that the Federal government has initiated the construction of a second runway at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
He made the announcement during a ministerial press briefing to commemorate President Bola Tinubu’s first year in office.
He stressed that the project has been entangled in controversy and delays dating back to the Obasanjo administration.
“Since the Obasanjo era, it was controversy after controversy. Some efforts started during the last administration, so we have to acknowledge that.
READ ALSO: International Airports Built Anyhow, No Master Plan – Festus Keyamo
“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.
He revealed that the contractors had begun work at the site, initiating the construction of the second runway.
Furthermore, Keyamo assured that alongside these advancements, the ministry would prioritize strict adherence to safety protocols and strive for Nigeria’s continuous improvement in ratings by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
He also mentioned a notable development in Nigeria’s aviation sector: 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.
READ ALSO: Keyamo Faults Nigeria, Ethiopian Airline Deal, Says It’ll Create Monopoly
Highlighting the importance of air cargo trade globally, he noted, “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 stated his commitment to ongoing discussions with several countries worldwide to explore opportunities for the resumption of cargo trade with Nigeria.