According to Senator Smart Adeyemi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Nigeria, provision of N15 billion (Ghs 227.9 million) for the ongoing second runway in Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, along with other beneficial projects for Nigeria’s aviation sector in 2021 fiscal year, has been made.
Speaking with journalists shortly after presenting his committee’s report on the 2021 budget proposal, he revealed that the essence of adequate funding; for consolidating on the enviable safety record achieved by Nigeria on the global aviation map by making it safer for all, is well known and cannot be overemphasized.
The proposal was made to the Senate Committee on Appropriation in Abuja during the weekend, for the aviation sector.
“The budget that we have for 2021 is quite promising and it’s quite very progressive budget.
We have a provision for a second runway in Abuja, which will save us from some of the occasions when planes will have to be hovering, where some of them may run out of fuel or some of them having to go to the nearby airports to land.”
“So, when we have a second runway, you are guaranteeing the safety of both the passengers, the aircraft and you are equally minimising cost because when planes don’t hover around, it means they can accurately calculate the quantity of gas that is required. So, it’s a good thing to have a second runway.
It’s what ought to have been done some 10 years ago, 15 years ago. We equally have a proposal of about N15billion for the second runway.
We have another about N10billion again for Katsina Airport, where we intend to set up Aircraft and Machines Station in Katsina,” Adeyemi said.
He also revealed plan to bolster security around the nation’s airports by providing perimeter fencing to safeguard them against trespassing and security breaches.
“Apart from that, quite a number of the airports are unfenced and that accounts for when you see animals straying right into the airports and others. So, we are proposing perimeter fencing in quite a number of airports in Nigeria in order to safeguard the airports.
“There is equally provision for purchasing of more meteorological equipment, so that there can be accurate forecast of weather. The take-off and landing of planes will be well guided.
“So, we made provisions for these key sectors that are required in the Aviation to make it safer,” he added.
He also indicated that abandoned Airstrips across the country will be rehabilitated and made operational in order to encourage air travel in Nigeria.
