The National Assembly has included a budget for the
construction of a second runway for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport,
Abuja, in the 2017 Appropriation Bill.
According to Punch, the lawmakers have agreed to the
construction of another runway for the airport.
This comes one week after the airport was re-opened for
flights, following runway repairs.
A source close to the leadership of the Senate, revealed
that both the Senate and the House of Representatives will vote between N15bn
and N20bn for the project.
“The National Assembly has agreed that the construction of a
second runway for Abuja airport must be in the budget and they are voting
between N15bn and N20bn for it.
“This is based on our initiative going by what we witnessed
during the last repairs (on the only runway), which forced the shutdown of the
airport (Abuja).
“We don’t want such experience to repeat itself – the
economic loss, embarrassment and the inconvenience.
“The leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives
chairmen of the committees on appropriations and chairmen of the committees on
aviation of both chambers met and agreed on the decision,” the source said.
By Ifreke Inyang
