The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has dismissed a ₦532 billion proposal for constructing a second runway at Abuja airport, citing unreasonable cost variations.
Appearing before a joint committee on aviation, Keyamo highlighted the delays and setbacks caused by inadequate funding and unresolved community issues. He criticised past administrations for failing to execute the project, recalling that ₦45 billion was allocated during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure and ₦90 billion during the 9th Assembly, of which only ₦30 billion was released.
Contractors have since left the site and proposed a cost variation of ₦532 billion, up from ₦90 billion in just two years. Keyamo rejected this, calling the proposal “unjustified” and hinting at potential fraud. He stated: “I will not accept such variations. We’ll invite fresh bids to ensure the project is completed by this administration.”
He also clarified the exclusion of ₦36 billion owed to ex-Nigeria Airways workers in the 2025 budget, explaining that payments would now be handled by the Ministry of Finance.
On the establishment of Aerospace Universities, Keyamo disagreed with suggestions to halt the initiative, arguing it complements existing institutions like the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology in Kaduna.
Presenting the Ministry’s 2025 budget, Keyamo revealed an allocation of ₦71.13 billion, with ₦69.2 billion for capital projects, ₦1.147 billion for personnel costs, and ₦745.7 million for overheads.