Minister
of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika, on Thursday said the Nnamdi Azikiwe
International Airport, Abuja runway repairs is 57 per cent completed.
of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika, on Thursday said the Nnamdi Azikiwe
International Airport, Abuja runway repairs is 57 per cent completed.
He
added that the airport will re-open April 19.
added that the airport will re-open April 19.
Sirika
disclosed this during a media tour led by the Minister of Information and
Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
disclosed this during a media tour led by the Minister of Information and
Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
“The
contractor has been fully mobilized and he has done as much as 57 per cent of
the work, which is good and it shows that we are on course”, Sirika explained.
contractor has been fully mobilized and he has done as much as 57 per cent of
the work, which is good and it shows that we are on course”, Sirika explained.
“It
also shows that we are on time and it means that we are doing what we are
supposed to do to ensure that the runway is opened come April 19.
also shows that we are on time and it means that we are doing what we are
supposed to do to ensure that the runway is opened come April 19.
“As
you could see, this is brand new asphalt being laid and it is finished and we
have also gone far into the third part of the runway.
you could see, this is brand new asphalt being laid and it is finished and we
have also gone far into the third part of the runway.
“If
you go over there you will also see that we have started the middle light of
the runway. So we are doing the work simultaneously.
you go over there you will also see that we have started the middle light of
the runway. So we are doing the work simultaneously.
“We
have even started the lightening with the cutting and channels for the wires
and we will continue so that we complete and achieve the target given.
have even started the lightening with the cutting and channels for the wires
and we will continue so that we complete and achieve the target given.
“The
central light up installation commenced on Tuesday and now they have gone far
and as we progress, we will continue towards the runway 022,“ he said.
central light up installation commenced on Tuesday and now they have gone far
and as we progress, we will continue towards the runway 022,“ he said.
The
minister explained that the first segment which is 1.2 kilometers has been
completed, while asphalt was being laid on the second segment of 2.4
kilometers.
minister explained that the first segment which is 1.2 kilometers has been
completed, while asphalt was being laid on the second segment of 2.4
kilometers.
He
also disclosed that the runway was being rebuilt with new and improved
technology known as the Glass Fibre Grid to give it strength and prevent it
from cracking.
also disclosed that the runway was being rebuilt with new and improved
technology known as the Glass Fibre Grid to give it strength and prevent it
from cracking.
According
to him, this is the first time that a Nigerian runway is being treated with
such material and the material is 50 toners to cover the entire runway.
to him, this is the first time that a Nigerian runway is being treated with
such material and the material is 50 toners to cover the entire runway.
“We
are on course and I am glad to say so because this airport will be reopened
with the terminal building wearing a new look.
are on course and I am glad to say so because this airport will be reopened
with the terminal building wearing a new look.
“The
closure of this airport also means that we will improve on the terminal to make
it more robust and create a seamless flow of international and local
passengers.
closure of this airport also means that we will improve on the terminal to make
it more robust and create a seamless flow of international and local
passengers.
“The
airport will be more compliant with the International Civil Aviation
Organisation standard and best practices and will be more efficient at the time
it is going to be reopened,’’ he said.
airport will be more compliant with the International Civil Aviation
Organisation standard and best practices and will be more efficient at the time
it is going to be reopened,’’ he said.
Sirika
also disclosed that about 50 international flights had been operated out of
Kaduna airport with about 4,000 international passengers within three weeks.
also disclosed that about 50 international flights had been operated out of
Kaduna airport with about 4,000 international passengers within three weeks.
