State finally launches construction of 2nd runway at Abuja International Airport
On 23 March this year, the Council of Ministers approved the budget for the construction of the second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, amounting to USD 224 million. Since then, the mobilisation of these funds has remained a challenge for the launch of the construction.
The construction of the second runway at the Abuja International Airport has finally started. "The contractor is already on site, and work has started," Federal Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, said on 3 November 2022, when he inspected the site with the Senate Committee on Aviation. "We will deliver the project as soon as possible," he promised. The work is expected to take twelve months.
The runway under construction will be 4.2 kilometres long, compared to the existing runway, which is about 3.7 kilometres long. The new asphalt will have a control feeder, a taxiway and other facilities. According to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Nnaji Nnolim, the construction of the runway was expected to take place some years ago.
It should be noted that in June 2020, the government had already given its approval for the release of an envelope of US$4.3 million for the payment of design fees for this runway. But it was on 23 March this year that the Council of Ministers voted the budget for this work, i.e. USD 224 million.
The airport's movement area was rehabilitated in April 2017. The work involved the paving of the runway, taxiways and tarmac. The terminal was also upgraded to accommodate disabled passengers, including the installation of lifts in the departure area.
In 2018, a new terminal building was added to the infrastructure. After the delivery of this new runway, the government should follow up with the construction of another terminal.
