FG Pushes Back Completion Date for Enugu Airport

• FG Pushes Back Completion Date for Enugu Airport

The Federal Government has said more time is needed to complete the recently approved renovation on the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu State.

Senator Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation, disclosed this when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation to defend the ministry N41.878 billion proposed budget for 2020.

On October 10, when the minister first appeared before the committee, he said the renovation will be completed by Christmas, 2019, saying it is important since people would be travelling home for the holiday.

The minister on Tuesday, however, changed tune when he said the work would now be completed by Easter in April 2020.

He said the N10 billion needed for the rehabilitation of the airport has been approved by President Muhammadu Buhari but it has not been released.

Sirika said the rehabilitation work would not “last beyond Easter and it would be so delivered in such a way that we will treat the Enugu problem once and for all.”

Speaking on the ministry proposed budget, the minister said: “In the year 2020, the sum of N41,878,371,737 is being proposed for capital expenditure.

“The budget will focus on sustaining the infrastructural renewal at the airports as well as upgrade and provision of necessary air navigation equipment as well as weather forecast. Special attention would be given to safety and security infrastructure.

“There are challenges with the new terminal buildings being built with the N500m loan from Exim Bank of China. These challenges include but are not limited to changes in the structural designs of the airports, foundation footing and escalators, provision for modern aircraft such as A380.”