Abuja second runway cost surges to N400bn — Keyamo

The proposed second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, has recorded a staggering 789 per cent increase in estimated cost, rising from about N45 billion when the project was first proposed to nearly N400 billion in 2026, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has disclosed.

Keyamo disclosed this yesterday at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, during the 67th anniversary of Aero Contractors, using the project’s cost escalation to highlight the economic consequences of delaying critical infrastructure.

According to him, the second Abuja runway has been the subject of controversy for almost two decades, with the National Assembly and aviation stakeholders previously questioning the N45 billion estimate.

Daily Trust reports that the move to build a new runway for Abuja, the second busiest airport in Nigeria, has encountered a chequered history over the delay in delivering the project which was conceptualised during the administration of late President Umar Yar’Adua in 2009.

Throughout the eight years of late President Muhammadu Buhari, the project saw budgetary provisions but remained stalled since then.

Though stakeholders are divided over the necessity of the second runway, those who support it believe the second runway would be a big relief for operators who have had to contend with flight disruptions occasioned by VIP movements in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Abuja, being the seat of power, usually experiences occasional VIP movements like when the President, Vice-President or other prominent personalities are passing through the airport.

Keyamo stated that 15 to 20 years later, the same project which was to gulp N45bn was now estimated at almost N400 billion.

“That is the danger in delaying the building of infrastructure, because the prices will go up every day,” he said.

The minister said the experience underscored the need to address decades of underinvestment in critical aviation infrastructure under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

He disclosed that the Federal Government had commenced rehabilitation of the Lagos airport and was resurfacing the runways at Abuja and Port Harcourt airports, while work on the Akure Airport runway was expected to commence soon. He added that the new terminal at Akure Airport had been completed.

Keyamo also disclosed that the government had secured infrastructure approval of about $1 billion for the aviation sector, including approximately $500 million for reconstruction of the Lagos international airport terminal which is ongoing.

He said the funding was secured without a loan, noting this was made possible through the removal of fuel subsidy.

He said, “Let’s be honest. Forget about what the politicians are saying. You know, we are all politicians. But I am saying, in actual fact, that is what happened.

“The President raised $500m to rebuild the Lagos airport. Not money borrowed, because we were able to do what we should do. Our liquidity rose. Our foreign reserves also rose from $3bn to $56bn now. And investors are rushing into the country because they now see the country as viable.”

According to him, the investments are expected to improve aviation infrastructure, create jobs and attract investment.

He cited the ongoing Lagos airport reconstruction, where about 2,000 Nigerians are currently employed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

The minister said government policy reforms were also aimed at strengthening Nigerian airlines, including improving their access to aircraft through implementation of the Cape Town Convention and the Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Request Authorisation (IDERA).

He further disclosed plans to extend the Lagos Red Line rail network to the new terminal at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, saying the proposed extension would connect the existing corridor through the airport axis, with a stop around the Air Force Base before reaching the terminal.

Keyamo commended Aero Contractors for surviving an operating environment that had witnessed the collapse of at least 100 airlines over the years, describing its survival as a demonstration of resilience.