The minister of aviation and aerospace development, Mr Festus Keyamo has charged China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) that handles the construction of the second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to ensure a perfect finish of the project.
Keyamo spoke during the inspection of the airport’s facilities in Abuja yesterday.
He said the runway would be delivered within 12 months adding that the government had resolved all the knotty issues, including compensation to the host community.
“On the second runway, I have to go and meet the FCT minister to clear the obstacle on the way. As at today, the report I have is that the communities have started receiving the money we disbursed,” Keyamo said.
“The Chinese company handling the project said it would clear the place next week and move to the site. So, we are going to invite Mr. President to come and commission it.
“For Abuja, as a capital city, it is extremely important that I work with relevant agencies, and the national assembly to make sure we deliver the project within 12 months.”
Keyamo said the second runway had been a controversial project from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime to date.
He described the second runway and ancillary facilities project as “low-hanging fruits”, adding that the project would serve as an alternative to the first runway in the airport”.
On improving infrastructure, Keyamo said the government would also intensify efforts to improve chillers, lifts, and escalators at the nation’s airports.
“Both locally and internationally, what passengers want to see are three things — good chillers; they want to come into a conducive atmosphere. They also want to see that the lifts are working. The third one is effective escalators.
“I have told them that my mentality to some of those things is that, for example, most of the chillers that are obsolete, instead of fixing them repeatedly, we will buy new ones.
“Cost of fixing them, like three times, can buy a new one. There are good brands all over the world. Let us buy high-quality lifts. The ones I saw here are not good enough.
“I know about lifts. I will not be here and am going to buy substandard lifts. Lift is not what you just buy weekly. I will not be spending money repairing them every two months,” he added
The minister said contracting the facility to the private sector to maintain would be “better than holding someone responsible for any abnormality”.
He said structurally, Abuja airport is a little bit okay compared to the old terminal at the international wing of Lagos Airport.
Addressing the contractor, the minister said: “Please we need to be sure you guys are keeping to standard. How many years guaranty are you giving us, at least 10 years because we will not rush for any procurement, years, after the completion of this project. So you must up your game.”
Responding, CCECC managing director of CCECC, Mr David Wang, promised to keep to standard by delivering a runway that will last longer.
He also agreed to the 10-year guaranty period which the minister requested for.
