Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has said that the Federal Government chose Kaduna airport, instead of Minna Airport, as the alternative airport while the rehabilitation of runway of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja lasts, given the current conditions of roads in both states.
He said that the Kaduna-Abuja highway currently lent itself more to the kind of emergency intervention to restore it to usability within the short time assigned for the completion of the rehabilitation.
Fashola told Senate that while the road distance from Minna to Abuja is about 156 kilometres and Kaduna to Abuja is about 186 kilometres (a difference of 30 kilometres or thereabout), the Kaduna-Abuja road is in much better condition than Minna-Abuja, and lends itself more quickly to the implementation of the kind of emergency repairs.
The minister noted that his ministry came into the matter in a complementary and supportive role, but added that the Abuja-Minna Road was also currently under procurement.
He disclosed that though the contractor was currently having difficulty with financing, the issues would eventually be resolved and the road fixed.
Fashola also disclosed that in anticipation that Kaduna airport would be the alternative, his ministry utilized the provisions of the emergency provisions of the Public Procurement Act to seek and obtain the approval of the Bureau of Public Procurement for the emergency rehabilitation of the bad sections of the Kaduna-Abuja highway at a cost of N1.058 billion.
Explaining that the runway of the airport needed urgent repairs, Fashola said, “By extension, therefore, it means that the airport cannot be used. It seems to be a very simple point but it is a point that members of the public should be made aware of that the runway is no longer safe. So this is a matter of immense public safety. This is the primary purpose for which governments exist
“Let me say very clearly that I sympathise with those who will be affected, including not the least many of us who travel. But nevertheless, my view is that where there are choices between inconvenience and safety, that safety must prevail.
“Nigeria is not the first country to close an airport and to divert traffic either to another airport or another city. This accord with the uncompromising safety standards in the aviation Industry that has made flying the safest form of travelling when operators play by the rules.”
“And I couldn’t be happier than to hear the President of the Senate saying this morning that the decision whether to repair the runway is now a moot point, and the decision really was what the best approach would be.”
“I like to emphasize also that the right to life, and this is important also in making the ultimate decision. That the right to life guaranteed in the constitution means nothing if Government does not take this kind of pre-emptive actions to forestall and prevent loss of life.”
“It is not that there are no alternatives, but we have to make those choices and my role in my Ministry is totally supportive. We are not leading them so if they say that they want us to stop, we have no interest in the matter beyond the way the Police will come to give collaboration, beyond the way other agencies are coming to give collaboration.”
“We were called into the meeting when this problem became a matter of urgent national consideration and we volunteered that we would give all the support to restore the road,” he said.
He said although, the contractor, Messrs CGC Nigeria Limited, has moved to site since the 7th of January 2017. They have proposed that it would be finished in 50 days ending thereabout on the 28th of February as seen in the work plan submitted to the Ministry. They have not yet been paid, but their presence was already visible on that road.
He said, “They have moved men and materials to site and this is the consequence of the confidence that has begun to come back to the construction industry since the implementation of the 2016 Budget that was passed.”
“As to the choice between Kaduna and Minna airports, I believe that the Minister of State for Aviation has explained that Kaduna is the default alternative Airport for Abuja bound flights when a flight plan was being considered for approval. I think he made that point from what I heard.