The federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is targeting the 90-day period it gave for the completion of the 2.7-kilometre long runway 18 Left at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
The managing director of the agency, Capt. Rabiu Yadudu, stated this yesterday when he took journalists on a tour of the facility to assess the level of work done so far.
Recall that FAAN had on July 7 closed the runway to traffic to enable the installation of airfield lights so the facility could operate for 24 hours.
Addressing journalist after the tour, said he runway was 90 per cent completed.
“So far, I think we have done about 90 per cent; we are on schedule and remember we are very optimistic. But if anything would make it be delayed, I would boldly make it delayed. I’d rather have a good job concluded. Aviation is not about quick fixes; it’s about long term fixes.
“For 12 years, this was not working but now you’re getting it… But if anything will hinder and we are sure has to do with safety, we will not hesitate. That is our primary responsibility but so far there is none,” he said.
Yadudu further said FAAN was committed to delivering the project on schedule adding that the facility tour was his 10th visit to the project site and “there are people here daily, monitoring, supervising.”
On the taxiway bravo, the managing director said work on the project was stalled, no thanks to inflation that affects the cost of bitumen and asphalt, especially.
According to him, the project had undergone 95 per cent completion and would have been completed some five months earlier but for the inflation that affects some of the major materials for the work.
“The issue has to do with procurement because suddenly we have inflation and the contractor is complaining. But he is working with FAAN and the ministry to see we can find a solution to the problem.
“Inflation suddenly increased the cost of bitumen and asphalt and we are trying to resolve it quietly so that the contractor will end up doing a good job.
“We do not want him to do a bad job because he has concerns and we are addressing those concerns,” he said.
