KEYAMO DEMANDS 10 YEARS LIFE SPAN FOR ABUJA AIRPORT 2ND RUNWAY
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Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo listening to a representative of the firm, CCECC, to construct the 2nd runway at Abuja airport
*** Warned against premature emergence of crocodile crack on the runway
*** Advised against water logging in any part of the Runway
*** Charged contractor to strictly adhere to job specifications
*** Affirmed the federal government is averse to cutting corners on quality materials and delivery
*** Vehemently declared variation will not be entertained as no procurement on that item (Abuja 2nd runway construction) is envisaged for years to come
China Civil Engineering Construction Company, CCECC, has been charged to give more than usual attention to the technical details in the Abuja second runway construction in order to deliver according to specifications.
Barr. Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, told the Managing Director of China Civil Engineering Construction Company, CCECC, Mr. David Wang, that the federal government wanted nothing short of a turgid runway that would be put to service immediately after it is delivered, and for the next decade there should be no cause for alarm which is often triggered by crocodile cracks on substandard runways.
Keyamo gave the charge when on a tour to inspect facilities at the Abuja Airport, and to deliver government expectations on the second runway construction project to the contractor who won the bid to build a world-class runway.
The Minister who visited the Site of the ongoing runway project during his inspection of the Abuja airport warned the contractors against using sub-standard materials.
While intimating the MD of CCECC, of government position on the project, Keyamo announced thus, “Please we need to be sure you guys are keeping to standards. How many years guarantee are you giving us, at least 10 years?”
Keyamo reminded the MD, Mr. Wang, that variation would not be entertained as the ministry will not allow itself to be bamboozled to start scampering for a fresh or adjunct procurement on that single item of Abuja’s 2nd runway construction.
Keyamo cautioned thus, “We will not rush for any procurement, years, after the completion of this project, so you must up your game”, he said without mincing words.
Responding to the Minister’s narratives, David Wang, promised to ensure the project will not fall short of the global standard.
Wang said further that the renowned Chines construction company shall keep to standard by delivering a Hard-Surfaced runway way that will last longer.
He also reiterated the agreement with the federal government that the minimum of 10 years’ life span expected by the Nigerian government as enunciated by the aviation minister, shall be met without much ado.
Recall the construction company, CCECC had been mobilized about a year ago but could not move to the site due to the protracted dispute on the amount requested as compensation for Jiwa Emirates indigenes who will be displaced by the 2nd runway project.
However, the advent of the new aviation minister, Festus Keyamo, and that of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike provided the leeway to the impasse.
The hope of progress became brighter just last Friday, 29th August 2023, when the Jika community whose land was acquired for the project agreed to a compensation of Eight Hundred and Twenty-Five Million, Eight Hundred and Nineteen Thousand, One Hundred and Nineteen Naira, Forty-Three Kobo only. (N825, 819, 119. 43) as against the Two Billion Naira only, (N2BN) the community earlier requested.
At the reconciliation meeting jointly presided over by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barrister Festus Keyamo, and his Federal Capital Territory, FCT, counterpart, Barrister Nyesom Wike, also had in attendance, the Emir of Jiwa, Alh. Idris Musa, and the accountable officers of both the Ministry of Aviation and of the FCT, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, and Mr. Olusade Adesola.
The Aviation Minister said, the issues around compensation by law do not concern the Ministry of Aviation and that the humongous demand by the communities was not achievable and would set a bad precedence.
Keyamo who was excited by the peaceful resolution of the compensation logjam expressed the optimism of a quick completion of the second runway project since a resolution had been reached by all parties.
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