The Federal Government has approved N106 billion for the
construction of 11 new international airport terminal buildings, Aviation
Minister Stella Oduah announced on Thursday.
Oduah told a news conference in Abuja that the amount was
approved at the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday. She said the new international terminal projects were
different from the ongoing remodeling and reconstruction of 11 airports in the
country.
She said the 11 new projects would include five
international terminals for commercial flights and six for perishable cargoes.Odual also said that the FEC had given approval for the
award of contracts for the "immediate take off of construction work on the
five terminals for international flights.
They are Lagos, Kano, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Enugu.
The six perishable cargo terminals will be in Lagos, Abuja,
Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano and Asaba.
Oduah said that the projects were part of the government's
road map to achieve its transformation agenda in the aviation sector.
"The second phase in our implementation strategy of the
Road Map which falls under the medium term programme of action is the
construction of five new international terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Port
Harcourt, Kano and Enugu.
"Only yesterday, we achieved a significant milestone in
this regard when Mr President and the FEC graciously granted approval for the
award of contract for the immediate take-off of construction work on these
terminals.
"For us as a ministry and government, we consider this
development a huge opportunity to put to practical effect, the present
administration's Transformation Agenda,'' Oduah said.
The minister said that the first phase of the remodeling and
construction of 11 airports would be completed in the next 90 days, while the
contract for the second phase of another 11 airports would take two years
before completion.
She explained that the projects were to be executed with a
concessionary loan from China Nexim Bank in 22 years with 5 years moratorium at
an interest rate of 2 per cent.
Oduah added that mobilisation to site by the contractors was
expected to commence in the next 90 days. "What this means is that before the end of the lifespan
of this administration, we would have been able to bequeath to Nigerians the
airports of their dreams. "Our dream is to also strive to transform Nigeria's
aviation sector into a major contributor to the nation's GDP and the airports
are pivotal to the actualisation of this dream.
"The award of contracts for the construction of the new
international airport terminals will, therefore, be a significant first step in
this direction,'' she said.
Oduah said the third phase of the implementation strategy of
the aviation transformation was the Aerotropolis project — airport cities that
provide clusters of businesses.
According to her, the Aerotropolis will provide businesses
in manufacturing, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) amongst
others.
"Recently, we embarked on an international Investors'
Road Show to China, Canada and the United States of America (USA) to market the
huge opportunities that abound for investment in the nation's aviation sector.
"Again, I am very happy to inform you that our team was
not only well received in those countries, but also quite significant, is the
fact that the trip has begun to yield great results.
"In a few days' time, I shall be returning to China to
sign a contract for the take off of construction work on the five brand new
terminals. We shall also use the opportunity to conclude discussions with the
investors that have shown tremendous interest and enthusiasm to invest in the
Aerotroplis project,'' Oduah said. Eleven airports that are currently undergoing reconstruction
are Murtala Muhammed International Airport and the General Aviation Terminal
(GAT), Lagos; the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; Port Harcourt
International Airport, Omagwa; the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu and
the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
Others are Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar,
Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos; the airports in Yola, Kaduna and Sam Mbakwe Airport,
Owerri.
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