Lagos – Sen. Hadi Sirika, the Minister of State for Aviation, has disclosed why the completion of the Abuja Airport new terminal is being delayed.
Sirika attributed foundational issue, which he, said had altered the master plan of the airport as one of the reasons for the delay in completing the new terminal as proposed.
Sirika stated this during the week when he toured the new terminal, which had been under construction for about four years.
He explained that the planning of the project did not envisage that the building would lead to additional works, power and water supply, adding that it was also discovered that the building would block both the control and fire towers, which would require relocation.
He said that additional work was also required to link it with the existing terminal as well as expanding the apron to accommodate bigger airplanes.
He further mentioned insufficient capacity of the existing power and water supply in the airport to catre for the new building, stressing that all the challenges would result to requiring additional funding.
It would be recalled that the project is being funded through $500m loan from Chinese EXIM bank and $100m counterpart funding from the Nigerian Government.
The airport project and four others commenced during the time of Princess Stella Oduah as the Minister of Aviation. Other airports under the projects are Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt.
Sirika, however, commended the quality of work done on the airport, charged the contractors to accelerate work.
With independent
