By Ayodele Oni
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has highlighted details of how the N712 billion approved by the Federal Executive Council, (FEC) for renovation of Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos will be spent.
The Minister pointed out that the Federal Government’s decision to commit N712 billion to the renovation of the Airport in Lagos is to make it compare with others internationally.
He described the project as a necessary overhaul to modernise the country’s busiest airport and accommodate surging passenger traffic.
Keyamo provided a detailed breakdown of the plan in a statement posted on his verified X account on Sunday.
He explained that the project, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) a few days ago, will focus on the full rehabilitation and redesign of Terminal One—the older of the two international terminals in Lagos.
Keyamo noted that the terminal, built in 1979, has become structurally decrepit after decades of neglect and overwhelming use.
According to him, the facility will be stripped down to its structural carcass, including removal of the roof, before being redesigned and rebuilt to meet modern international standards.
The work will affect both Wings D and E of the terminal.
He added that the newer Terminal Two, completed with a Chinese loan and made operational during President Tinubu’s first month in office, will also be expanded.
The expansion includes enlarging the apron to accommodate more aircraft, especially wide-body jets.
To ease vehicular movement in and out of the airport, Keyamo disclosed that two new independent ring roads will be constructed, one for arrivals and the other for departures alongside a new bridge that will lead directly to the upper floor of Terminal Two’s departure lounge.
This, he said, will correct a design flaw that currently forces travellers to haul luggage up escalators.
The minister also revealed that the new designs incorporate smart technology features to transform the airport into a world-class facility capable of competing globally.
Keyamo emphasised that the entire project will be funded through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, established from savings made after the removal of fuel subsidies, with no loans involved.
He assured that as work progresses, journalists, civil society organisations, lawmakers, and other interested Nigerians will be invited on routine tours of the site to monitor progress and ensure transparency.
In defending the cost, Keyamo urged Nigerians to compare similar modern airport projects around the world, including those in African countries like Angola, to appreciate the value of the investment.
He added that the Bureau of Public Procurement scrutinised and approved the final cost.
Discover more from The Source
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
