By Dipo Olowookere
Minister of State for Aviation, Mr Hadi Sirika, has disclosed that the reconstruction of the runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja was already 57.5 percent near completion.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister said the project, mid-way into the six weeks earmarked for it, would be completed as scheduled.
He told journalists during an inspection tour of the project that, “Work is going on smoothly as you can see. We have taken you round and everything is in order.”
He said further that, “The contractor has mobilised fully and we have now gone about 57.5 percent of the total work, which is good, which shows that we are on course, which shows that we are on time, which shows that we are doing what we are supposed to do to ensure that the runway is opened come April 19, 2017.”
The Minister said in addition to the opening of the runway at the expiration of the six-week target, an upgraded terminal to ensure passenger comfort, in line with the protocol of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), will also be ready.
“This airport will be opened come April 19 and it will not only be opened at the time but the terminal building will wear a new look.
“We are doing a complete rehabilitation of Terminal D of the International Airport. We will put escalators and lifts at the terminal and also we are opening a lounge for the physically challenged and the elderly,” he said.
Mr Sirika said work on the runway is also going on simultaneously with lighting installation and laying of cables, which have also reached an advanced stage.
He said for the first time in Nigeria, glasphalt – a variety of asphalt that uses crushed glass – is being used to reinforce the runway and also prevent cracks.
In his remarks, the Minister of Information and Culture said the inspection tour was aimed at providing first-hand experience for the journalists on the progress so far made on the reconstruction of the runway.
“Last week Tuesday, we took a trip by train to Kaduna together. We experienced the train ride, we saw the train station and the Honourable Minister (of State for Aviation) received us at the airport, where we were taken round the operations at the Kaduna Airport and we came back together by road to give you a wholesome and complete experience of the efforts we have put in place to ensure minimal inconvenience and maximum security and safety, occasioned by the temporary closure of the airport
“We believe it’s only fitting that we bring you here today, since we have three weeks gone from the six weeks we promised, for you to come and see the extent of work that has been done,” he said.
