The Senate on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to ensure that due process was followed in the design, award and procurement processes of the N63.5 billion Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, second runway.
It therefore called on the government to reduce the cost of the project and monitor the contract award process, following media publication that the contract would be awarded at N63.5 billion.
Recall that the contract for the 3.8km one-lane runway was cancelled by the immediate past administration of Goodluck Jonathan at N64 billion after allegations of over-inflation of contracts were established.
The Senate expressed worry that the proposed cost of the runway was about four times the cost of constructing a brand new airport in Nigeria.
Moving a motion for the urgent need for the construction of a second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi West), described the amount as outrageous, adding that it was an attempt to steal and rape Nigerians of their common patrimony.
He gave a comparative analysis of cheaper cost of constructing airports across the country to include: N8.2 billion for Gombe Airport with 3.6km runway; N11 billion Jigawa Airport; N12 billion Bauchi Airport; N13 billion Enugu Airport reconstruction and expansion, and N18.05 billion Akwa-Ibom Airport.
While stressing that the project will be a waste of fund considering Nigeria’s present economic situation, Melaye expressed concern that the new terminal 5 in Heathrow Airport with four lanes of 4km runway cost less than N25 billion.
Senate president, Bukola Saraki, who presided over the session, said: “We cannot continue on any way of reckless expenditure, and the responsibility is ours because the oversight function is ours. And we all have a role to play to ensure that all agencies and MDAs know that those days are over. And any contract must be done prudently and this kind of figures will not be accepted.”
