The federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said that it hopes to deliver on its promise of a 90-day period it gave for the completion of the 2.7-kilometre long runway 18 L/36R at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos as the work is already 90 per cent done.
The managing director of the agency, Captain Rabiu Yadudu, declared this over the weekend when he took journalists on a tour of the facility to assess the level of work done so far.
FAAN had on July 7, 2022 closed the runway to traffic and commenced the installation of CAT III Airfield Ground Lighting system on Runway 18L/36R aimed at 24 hours operation.
Yadudu addressing journalists after the tour assured that FAAN intends to meet its 90 days deadline but would rather delay if need be and do a thorough job on the runway instead.
According to him, apart from the MMA, FAAN is working and upgrading virtually all airports under its purview.
He said: “So far, I think we have done about 90 per cent completion and we are on schedule. Remember we are very optimistic but if anything would make it be delayed, I would boldly make it delayed. I’d rather have a good job concluded, safely. Aviation is not about quick fixes it’s about long term fixes.
“For 12 years this was not working but now you’re getting it. The bottom line is we are ok target up to this moment but if anything that will hinder it and we are sure it has to do with the safety, we will not hesitate. That is our primary responsibility but so far there is none.
“And we are committed, this is my 10th visit and there are people here daily, monitoring, supervising.”
Also speaking on Taxiway Bravo, Yadudu said the project has been stalled due to inflation affecting procurement cost especially of bitumen and asphalt.
”Taxiway Bravo has been about 95 per cent for the past five months, it’s issue with procurement because suddenly we have inflation and the contractor is complaining but he is working with FAAN and the ministry to see if we can find a solution to the problem.
”This inflation issue suddenly increased the cost of bitumen and asphalt and we are trying to resolve it quietly, so he also ends up doing a good job, we do not want him to do a bad job because he has concerns and we are addressing those concerns.
“It would have been commissioned four to five months ago but we need to do a good job that everyone would be proud of,” the managing director said.